William Evans Introduced As Boston Police Commissioner

BOSTON (CBS/AP) — Boston Mayor Marty Walsh formally named 31-year department veteran William Evans as the city's new police commissioner Thursday.

Evans was introduced at a news conference with William Gross who he named Superintendent-in-Chief, essentially the second in command in the department.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports

"I never thought I'd be up here on this day," Evans said, thanking the police officers he works with for supporting him. "They put me here."

Evans told reporters his greatest strength is working with the community.

"Being out there, listening to their concerns and I promise Mayor Walsh that's what I'll do day in and day out."

Boston Police Superintendent William Gross. (WBZ-TV)

Evans said choosing Gross as second in charge is his first - and will be his best – decision as commissioner.

Gross is the first black chief in the history of the Boston Police Department.

He started his career as a BPD cadet. He told reporters Thursday that people then didn't know if he was a mailman or a cop. Walsh interrupted and said, "They know now."

Gross thanked his single mother and all of the other people who were looking out for him every day of his childhood.

Related: On The Beat With Chief Gross

Evans also talked about his early struggles, losing his parents when he was 13 years old.

"My brothers watched over me and I think I did pretty good," he said.

Evans's brother Paul was Boston's Police Commissioner from 1994 to 2003.

Evans said his brother advised him to "keep your head high, and watch your back."

William Evans's primary goal will be reducing violent crime. He said even though Boston had a 13-year low 40 homicides in 2013, "one homicide is one too many."

He also promised more diversity in the BPD command staff.

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