FERGUSON — Ferguson’s newest police chief, who hails from Georgia, was sworn in Tuesday evening during a City Council meeting.

Jason P. Armstrong most recently worked as a captain and interim police chief in the Forest Park Police Department near Atlanta.

“I feel great, honored,” Armstrong said shortly after his swearing-in ceremony. “This is an opportunity for me to come in and be a part of something great.”

Armstrong said his first priority as police chief will be getting the department fully staffed.

“The department has had shortages and openings, and that means the officers that are here are carrying a heavier workload,” he said.

Armstrong was selected for the top police job by the City Council in June. Interim Police Chief Frank McCall was also considered for the job and had the support of some residents, but McCall now holds the post of assistant police chief.

The chief’s seat has seen quite a bit of turnover since 2014, when the police shooting of Michael Brown caused the country to erupt in protests.