DETROIT -- Kenneth Cockrel Jr. is officially the new mayor of Detroit.

Cockrel was officially sworn in at 10 a.m. Friday morning in front of a packed crowd at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Building.

"I, Kenneth V. Cockrel Jr., do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Michigan and perform the duties of the mayor of this great city of Detroit to the best of my ability, so help me God," he repeated.

Watch Cockrel Swearing In

He began with introductions to each member of the city council and told them it has been an honor working with them and said he is looking forward to continuing their work together for the city of Detroit.

He said he is ready to lead a community still reeling from a lengthy City Hall scandal.

"From this moment on, the past is the past. As a city and a region, we have to move forward and we are going to move forward," Cockrel said. "This is our time for hope and renewal. Our time to breathe life back into the city."

"We must find closure, mend our wounds, treat our bumps and bruises...and heal as a city," Cockrel continued. "After we heal, we must get back to work."

He specifically talked about the Cobo Hall deal and the budget as top priorities as he gets right to work.

Cockrel already has met with outside auditors from KPMG.

"When you have your financial house in order, it makes it a lot easier to do the other things that you want to do," Cockrel said Wednesday.

Cockrel made it very clear in his speech on Friday that the city needed to become cleaner and safer.

Cockrel also said he's no hip-hopper like his predecessor. Instead, he's a "geek" and science fiction and action movie fan who likes to watch the "special features" on DVDs in the wee hours of the morning.

Cockrel wrapped up Friday's inaugural address with quotes from the "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" movie and the "Star Trek" TV series.

He endorsed the words of "Terminator 2"'s John Connor, who says "the future is not set" and "there is no fate but what we make for ourselves."

And Cockrel says Detroit, like the Starship Enterprise, needs "to boldly go where no one has gone before."

Already this week, Cockrel has been busy introducing new members of his administration to the public.

He announced Saul Green as his new deputy mayor and James Barren as the city’s new police chief.

Green is a former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan and held the position from 1994 to 2001. He most currently was part of the law firm of Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone and teaches law at the University Of Michigan Law School.

Barren has been a police officer in the city for 31 years. He has won awards ranging from the Medal of Valor to several life-saving awards. He has a number of graduate degrees and has most recently worked for General Motors and the Veterans Administration

At Thursday’s city council meeting, Cockrel handed the official council gavel to incoming president Monica Conyers, who takes over as Cockrel becomes mayor.

"This is my last meeting with all of you. It hasn't always been a pleasure," Cockrel joked, "but I will say it has certainly been an honor serving with each and every one of you. I look forward to continue working with you as mayor.”

Kilpatrick resigned after accepting two plea deals in two separate cases. He is expected to report for a 120-day jail sentence Oct. 28. He has also been ordered to pay $1 million in restitution.

He admitted lying on the witness stand in a civil case over the firing of police officers. He also pleaded no contest in a separate assault case.