INDIANAPOLIS - A former police chief with experience in Kentucky and Texas has been named Indianapolis' new public safety director.

Mayor Greg Ballard announced his selection of David "Troy" Riggs, 46, to fill the city's top safety post during a news conference Tuesday.

Riggs is a Louisville, Ky., native with 22 years experience, including former assistant police chief in Louisville and assistant city manager for safety, health and neighborhoods in Corpus Christi, Texas.

"I seek top-level experience and bold action from my public safety directors, and Troy perfectly fits that mold," Ballard said. "His experience on the street and in command and his leadership of multiple public safety agencies make him a great choice to help Indianapolis continue its drive for the best public safety team in the nation."

Riggs, who said he is a big proponent of community engagement, wants to reverse course from zone policing, which puts a large number of officers into high crime areas, back to community policing.

"My preference is I'd like to see officers on the beat getting to know those leaders in the community, working with these leaders, forging partnerships that will make us safer," he said.

Riggs said his immediate concern is the number of officers available for street duty. Of nearly 1,600 officers on the department, less than half are directly engaged in fighting crime and responding to calls for service.

"I will be honest and say today that I'm very concerned about the lack of patrol officers," he said. "I think we have about 600 or 650 in the patrol function right now. For a department this size, I think that needs to be increased."

Riggs will become acting public safety director on Oct. 29 pending confirmation by the City-County Council later this year.

"I look forward to working with the men and women in the Department of Public Safety and serving the people of Indianapolis," Riggs said. "There are exciting things happening in the city of Indianapolis, and my family and I look forward to becoming a part of it."

Riggs said he and his wife of 22 years, Kara, and their two sons, David, 14, and Caleb, 10, look forward to moving to Indianapolis soon.

The incoming public safety director will oversee a $525 million budget.