(Bay City News) Oakland Mayor Jean Quan announced today that Assistant Police Chief Howard Jordan will serve as acting police chief for the city following the surprise resignation of Chief Anthony Batts earlier this week.

Batts, who was appointed by then-Mayor Ron Dellums in August 2009, announced his resignation in a letter on Tuesday, saying that as chief he had limited control but full accountability for Oakland's high crime rates.

Jordan has already served as acting police chief in Oakland; he was named to the post in February 2009 after former Chief Wayne Tucker decided to retire, saying he said he had lost faith in the City Council's ability to fully fund the Police Department and implement reforms.

Since Batts took over, Jordan has served as assistant chief.

Batts was hired after a nationwide search for someone to head the department, and came to Oakland from Long Beach, where he had served as police chief for seven years.

Batts had a record of reducing violent crime in Long Beach, and it was hoped he could do the same for Oakland.