LOUISVILLE, Ky.  — Erika Shields is officially Louisville's police chief.

Mayor Greg Fischer swore in Sheilds Tuesday morning inside Metro Hall. Late last year an 8-person interview panel unanimously recommended to Fischer that he hire Shields as chief. 

“I have seen her commitment to the profession of law enforcement. I have seen her commitment to making sure that it remains a profession," Bishop Marc House said Tuesday. House presides of Victory City Church near Atlanta, Georgia.

After taking the oath of chief,  Chief Shields made her first official address to her department and the city. Shields says compassion will be key in moving both forward. 

“With every hardship, with every suffering, you can either retreat, you can either take on the negative, you can just lock it in and dedicate yourself to misery or you can learn from it and say how is this an opportunity for me to help us move forward," Shields said.  

She continued, "From COVID to Breonna Taylor to the high levels of gun violence, it’s been an incredibly difficult year for America. What I tell you is, I am here to fight for you. I am here to listen to you and I am here to help bring forward the transformation you all want to see within LMPD.”

Shields becomes the first woman to undertake the position as a permanent role. To her force, with more than 1000 officers Chief Shields says Louisville will become a model agency. 

“To my fellow officers, I realize you have had an immensely difficult year and I am here to help you, help you want to enjoy this job again, feel proud about yourself again. I am here to showcase your talents...you will be the flagship agency."