By KRWG News
Juarez, Mexico – The former police chief for the Mexican border city of Tijuana is now tackling crime in Ciudad Juarez, one of the world's most dangerous places.
Julian Leyzaola Perez has taken over the Public Security Department in the city across the border from El Paso, Texas.
He faces a soaring homicide rate caused by the nation's bloody drug conflict. More than 3,000 people were killed last year in the city of 1.3 million.
Mayor Hector Murguia introduced his new chief Thursday.
Leyzaola won praise for restoring relative calm to Tijuana as police chief from 2008 to 2010. His agency was also accused of torturing police officers suspected of being crooked.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.