INDIANAPOLIS - Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Rick Hite made two key command changes Monday, promoting two officers who were demoted in connection with the botched investigation of Officer David Bisard.

Ron Hicks -- who was demoted from Deputy Chief of Operations in 2010 -- moves from commander of the southeast district to assistant chief.

"I was very humbled by it, very excited at the same time," Hicks said. "It's a great opportunity for me personally and I hope it's a great opportunity for police department as well."

John Conley, who was also demoted after the Bisard crash, will replace Hicks as the southeast district's commander.

Conley, who's been with the department since 1976, was with the homeland security bureau.

"The southeast part of town is where I had my very first assignment out of the academy in 1976," Conley said. "I kind of grew up in police department down there, so to me this was a great opportunity to go back home, so to speak."

Hite said these changes are needed as the department prepares for budget cuts and looks to improve efficiency within the department.

"You want talent in the field, people who understand the community, understand policy but are also ready to make those changes," Hite said.

Hicks and Conley are both suing the department for those demotions and loss of pay, and acknowledge the need to improve the way people view the department.

"Hopefully I can mentor the new officers who come up with new ideas to push the department forward and help us to become an even better police department," Hicks said Monday.

"I think sometimes the public needs to know that they have a police department that is strong that is professional that will get out there and get the job done," Conley said.

Hite was named full-time chief in December and says more changes to the department could be coming soon.