Civil rights lawyer Krasner sworn in as district attorney

PHILADELPHIA (AP/WTXF) -- The civil rights attorney who was elected as Philadelphia's district attorney on the promise of criminal justice reform has been sworn in to office.

Democrat Larry Krasner said Tuesday that the city has started on its "long road" to repairing ties between communities and police.

Krasner assumes the post previously held by Democrat Seth Williams, who resigned last June after pleading guilty to taking a bribe in exchange for legal favors. Williams was sentenced to five years in prison.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney says the city's new top prosecutor is the right man for the job.

The 56-year-old Krasner has said he will encourage many reforms, including changes in bail practices that result in many poor people being jailed while awaiting trial and alternatives to incarceration for lower-level crimes.