Tampa Police assistant chief Eric Ward is Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s pick to succeed Jane Castor as police chief.
Buckhorn picked Ward over two other finalists, Deputy Chiefs Brian Dugan and Mary O’Connor.
Buckhorn didn’t bother doing a national search for a new police head. “I didn’t feel the need to go outside of the department because we try very hard here to groom that next generation,” he said.
Chief Ward has been with Tampa PD for 25 years and is the department’s highest ranking black officer.
He says he will focus on violent crime, police officer training, and community outreach.
Chief Castor retires May 8th.
