JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Joplin Police Chief Lane Roberts has been appointed as Missouri's new public safety director.
Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon on Thursday nominated the Joplin chief to replace former Director Daniel Isom II, who left after only six months on the job.
Isom, who is black, was appointed amid fallout from the fatal shooting of black 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson by a white officer.
Nixon faced criticism for lack of diversity in his cabinet.
Isom in February announced he was leaving the position to go back to teach at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Roberts served as Joplin's chief from April 2007 until he retired last year. He helped coordinate local, state and federal responses to the deadly 2011 tornado that devastated the area.
The Senate must confirm Roberts' nomination.