Fresh from a hitch in the Army in 1965, Joseph S. Johnson had the notion he wanted to be a police officer. But he couldn't go home to Annapolis.
At the time black officers couldn't ride in patrol cars or walk beats in white neighborhoods.
Now, he is running the department, the first African-American to do so.
He has been acting chief since the previous chief, Harold Robbins, resigned in April. Last Monday, the Annapolis City Council unanimously approved his selection as permanent chief.
He will be officially sworn in at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, during a ceremony in City Council chambers in City Hall.
"It goes to show the changes that can occur in 30 years," he said in an interview. "Now I command everything."
Chief Johnson has taken over a department of 120 officers that for years has been troubled with charges of racism and low morale. His arrival has been greeted with optimism by many.
"He's a refreshing change," said James Lowthers, the secretary-treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400, which represents the city's police officers.
"He's a good communicator and concerned about his officers," Mr. Lowthers said.
"He's boosted morale. Complaints of racist and sexist policies are almost nonexistent," said Alderman Carl O. Snowden of Ward 5. "I think he's done an excellent job . . . and I believe that sentiment is universal."
Even the officers in the department seem pleased with their new boss. Detective Brenda Leigh Higgs, a 15-year veteran, called Chief Johnson "a policeman's policeman" who "hasn't forgotten what it's like to be a policeman on the street."
"This chief listens to everybody and talks to everybody," added Lt. William Powell, a 22-year veteran whom Colonel Johnson recently promoted to command the patrol division. "He comes out of the office and mingles with people."
Officer Edward Mackiewicz, who has served under six chiefs in 19 years, said, "Johnson will speak to you. Robbins would walk right by you."
A least once a week, Chief Johnson tours the city with Major Norman Randall, a 32-year veteran of the force.
One recent day, they drove through the Clay Street community, once the hub of African-American business and entertainment life in Annapolis, but now a low-income, high unemployment area noted for its crime and drug problem.
People who recognize the men in the unmarked car smile and wave. Some just stand sullenly on street corners. Chief Johnson sees them as visible symptoms of unemployment and the drug traffic.
"These folk ain't waiting to go to work on the evening shift," he said.
L The residents seem split in their reaction to the new chief.
Gretchen Matthews, 43, said police and community relations have improved "a lot," but added that the chief "should come around and talk to the people more."