JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Missouri’s top public safety official, who was appointed amid the fallout from the Ferguson police shooting, says he’s resigning.

Department of Public Safety Director Daniel Isom II said in a statement Wednesday that he was stepping down to take a teaching position at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The former St. Louis police chief and university instructor says he’s eager to return to his “true passion.”

Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Isom, who is black, following the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in August. Brown, who was black, was unarmed when he was shot by a white police officer in Ferguson, a St. Louis suburb.

Nixon, whose office released the statement, has faced criticism for lack of diversity in his Cabinet.

Isom’s last day will be March 2.

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SUMMER BALLENTINE, Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The state senator who sponsored Missouri’s new public safety director when he was appointed amid the fallout from the Ferguson police shooting says the director has decided to resign.

Sen. Jamilah Nasheed tells The Associated Press that Department of Public Safety Director Dan Isom told her Wednesday that he would step down. Nasheed represents part of St. Louis. Isom is the city’s former police chief.

The department and the governor’s office didn’t immediately return calls seeking comment.

Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Isom, who is black, in August following the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown. Brown, who was black, was unarmed when he was shot by a white officer in Ferguson, a St. Louis suburb.

Nixon has faced criticism for lack of diversity in his Cabinet.