Moments after being named Miami's police chief on Thursday, Maj. Miguel Exposito made it clear he planned to reshape the Miami Police Department with a leadership style far different from that of his predecessor -- John Timoney.

The message was as much Exposito's as that of Miami Mayor Toma`s Regalado -- the man who steered Miami City Manager Pete Hernandez to give him the job commanding the city's largest agency.

The police department has 1,100 police officers and 400 civilians.

With Regalado standing behind him, Exposito, 55, an officer with 35 years of experience with Miami police, promised to raise morale among the rank-and-file and go ``back to basics'' in protecting the citizens of Miami.

During his mayoral campaign, Regalado criticized Timoney repeatedly for low morale and vowed to bring in new leadership. Following his election, he pledged to move fast -- and that he did.

Hernandez said Exposito would be sworn in as the new police chief next Tuesday and that Timoney ``will stay on as an advisor.'' Exposito will earn an annual salary of $196,000.

Timoney announced his resignation the same day that Regalado was sworn in as the newly elected mayor.

During the news conference, Exposito threw a few barbs clearly directed at the former chief.

At one point, Exposito said when he leaves the job he doesn't care about having a national reputation as a great chief, but instead wants to leave the department ``operating at full strength.''

Timoney, who had worked in high-ranking positions with the police departments of New York and Philadelphia, had a national reputation as a top law-enforcement officer.

In Thursday's announcement, Exposito -- whom city officials called ``Mike'' -- made it a point to talk about morale. ``Foremost in my mind is bringing up the morale of the department,'' said Exposito.

He said he also planned to reexamine some of the department's specialized units. ``We need to bring police back onto the streets,'' he said.

Exposito pointed to changes he would like to explore:

• Making 26 spots currently held by sworn officers into civilian jobs to put the officers back on the street.

The downtown area is one place he would like to assign some of those officers.

• Moving the investigative sections for robbery and burglary back to the district level for better coordination with patrol officers.

Exposito also identified the helicopter unit as one that might not be necessary -- Timoney highlighted the success of that very unit in his retirement letter.

``I've been fortunate enough in my career that the people who have worked for me have done so without being brow beat,'' Exposito said. `` . . .I tell them what I expect from them. I treat them with respect. I give them the support they need and the tools they need to do their job.''

City Manager Pete Hernandez praised Exposito's leadership skills and called him ``someone who knows the police department probably better than anybody else.''

Exposito, who started with the department in 1974 as a public service aide, rose through the ranks, commanding the Internal Affairs unit, sexual battery and child abuse unit and special investigations section. Most recently, he was the major over the property section.

``He has worked in every division of the police department,'' Hernandez said. ``In going through his evaluations, going back even 30 years there was a common trait and that's strong leadership.''

As with any new chief, changes will likely come among the department's brass. Timoney's deputy chief, Frank Fernandez, already announced his retirement on Wednesday.

``Next week I'll sit down and make a decision on my staffing,'' Exposito said. ``Obviously I'll keep some of the staff members that are there now, but there are some members that will be changed.''

Fraternal Order of Police president Armando Aguilar, a vocal Timoney critic, called Exposito's appointment ``a wonderful day for the police department.''

``Chief Timoney did a lot of good things, but it's time for a change,'' said Lt. Ricardo Roque, a deputy commander in the downtown area, saying the new chief was universally liked in the department. ``He's very serious, very honest and he has an open mind. That's why he has the support of the officers.

Exposito, 55, was among four candidates considered for the city's top law-enforcement job. The others: Assistant Chief Adam L. Burden, Assistant Chief Thomas W. Cannon and Maj. Manuel Orosa.

Hernandez said he had reviewed the personnel jackets and Internal Affairs profiles of the candidates, but had not conducted interviews for the job. He said he had spoken with Exposito for a few hours.

``I've been here 3 ½ years, I know the leadership in the department,'' Hernandez said. ``I know the individuals involved. I felt confident in Chief Exposito based on his experience, his leadership qualities.''