Ferguson hires Andre Anderson as new interim police chief

FERGUSON, Mo., July 22 (UPI) -- City leaders announced Wednesday an Army veteran with 24-years law enforcement experience will be the new interim police chief at the beleaguered department following months of unrest in the shooting of an unarmed black teen.

Andre Anderson, 50, was appointed to take the place of interim Police Chief Alan Eickhoff, who has held the office since March when the police chief resigned under fire. Anderson, has spent 24 years with the Glendale, Ariz., Police Department, most recently as commander. It's unclear how long Anderson will be in the post.

"The City of Ferguson and our Police Department have endured a tremendous amount of distrust during the past nine months, Knowles said in a news release. "We understand that it will take time to once again gain the trust of everyone."

Anderson makes about $125,000 a year in Glendale. His contract with Ferguson has not been finalized.

Anderson grew up in Philadelphia and was a "formidable amateur" while boxing in the Army, the Arizona Republic reported in 1999. He later moved to Arizona, where he won two professional fights. His boxing career came to an abrupt end after he was hit by a car while fixing a flat tire. He worked as a prison guard in Arizona before joining the Glendale police. He holds a master's degree in education and leadership from Northern Arizona University.

Chief Tom Jackson resigned following the August 2014 shooting death of Michael Brown by Darren Wilson, a former Ferguson police officer. Jackson's salary was $95,000 a year. Ferguson is about 70 percent black. Currently, the city's police force is 3 percent black.