The mayor of Annapolis fired Police Chief Michael Pristoop on Wednesday, citing what he said was a lack of progress against drugs and killings in the state capital.

The city has seen 12 homicides in the last 12 months.

Mayor Michael Pantelides said Pristoop's firing was “not about the person, but rather about creating a new direction for policing and enforcement efforts.”

City police Maj. Scott Baker was named acting chief pending a search for a replacement.

“I thank the chief for his work,” said Pantelides, a Republican. “He did it for nine years.

“We will be looking for a commitment to community policing and a more aggressive approach to heroin and drugs in the city.”

Pristoop, who has been chief since 2008, was not immediately available for comment. The department deferred questions to city officials.

Some City Council members said they were disappointed with the firing. They were given a letter announcing Pristoop's dismissal, but it did not list explicit reasons.

“I'm not happy about it,” said Alderman Jared Littmann, a Democrat. “The council has not been given any explanation for it, which I don't think is appropriate.”

The Caucus of African American Leaders in Annapolis held a vote of no confidence in Pristoop in October, citing the homicide rate and concerns about lawsuits alleging disparate treatment between black and white police officers.

Pantelides said Wednesday his decision “had nothing to do” with the caucus' position.