Protestors Downtown After Confirmation Of City Police Comm. Kevin Davis

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — New leadership. Activists demand action at City Hall, as the council votes to make Kevin Davis Baltimore's permanent police commissioner.

Huge challenges are ahead for Kevin Davis, who was sworn in as the next police commissioner a short time ago. It caps a dramatic night, including demonstrators disrupting the City Council, then marching through downtown streets.

WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren spoke to the new commissioner.

His focus is driving down a surge in murders and shootings this year. He says he respects those who protested against him, and, again, briefly shut down a City Council meeting with a list of demands.

The mayor brought a bible to a community crime forum in Park Heights and used it to swear in Kevin Davis as the city's newest police commissioner.

Just hours earlier, activists shut down the City Council, minutes after Davis was approved. They're upset over what they believe is the aggressive treatment of protestors.

"As long as they are orderly, I don't want them arrested," said City Council President Jack Young.

"For any critics out there who think there is some type of new hard line within the city or particularly with my leadership of the police department, I think we've proven just the opposite," said Davis.

Demonstrators marched from City Hall to McKeldin Square, and police were out in force along the way.

"The commissioner has continued to show that he is not interested in the respect of black young people in this city," said Kwame Rose, demonstrator.

The commissioner faces some tough months ahead, including likely frequent demonstrations around the six trials for the officers accused in Freddie Gray's death and a murder rate expected to surge past 300.

"Last year, we had the second lowest number of homicides in decades. I don't want us to forget about the momentum and the progress that we've made," said the mayor.

Two council members voted against Davis, citing concerns over a $150,000 payout in his new contract if the next mayor decides to fire him, but Davis insists he wants the job for the long haul.

"I don't intend to let anybody down, and I'm just looking forward to getting the city where it needs to be," said Davis.

Davis' salary will be $200,000 a year. The Board of Estimates still has to approve that number. The contract runs through 2020.

There were no arrests related to Monday's demonstrations at City Hall.

Police arrested 16 people who protested Davis' confirmation at a council committee hearing last week.