For incoming Police Chief Eric Ward, hanging out at Tampa's Police Athletic League (PAL) is like being at home in some ways.
Ward's mom signed him up for the summer program when he was about seven years old.
"On the east side of town, we didn't have the opportunity to go to summer camp so PAL was the next best option," Ward said.
At PAL, Ward got his first positive impression of the police. But he said he always knew he wanted to be an officer.
"You know when you're a kid there's a couple of things you want to be in life, a police officer or a cowboy. Cowboys don't pay any money. I needed a job," Ward laughed.
Ward didn't tell anyone his ambitions at first. Growing up in east Tampa, tensions between residents and police were too high.
Once he did bring it up, "it was a shock to everybody," Ward said.
Now, wearing the uniform, Ward tries to make monthly visits to PAL, the place where he got his start.
Ward said he wants to encourage the children there.
"I think reaching our kids at a younger age is the key," Ward said.
Ward said communicating with children is key to stopping the violence that's been plaguing the area where he grew up.
Community outreach will be his priority as chief.
And although Ward never imagined he'd be the city's top cop, he said he welcomes the position and is looking forward to the challenge.