History was made in the city of Rome on Friday, when David Collins became the first African American appointed as chief of the Rome Police Department.

"If you work hard and do what you’re supposed to do, ain’t no one going to hold you back but yourself," said Collins, who has been with the Rome Police Department for 17 years, most recently as deputy chief.

Prior to being an officer, he served 22 years in the military.

Becoming the chief of police is an honor for him. He wants to help the department continue to move forward by helping to bridge the gap between police officers and the community.

"I think it’s going back to the roots, going back to square one, community policing," he said. "When I came on, I can tell you as a patrol man, I would get out the car and maybe be in South Rome, see some kids playing basketball. I would get out of the car, 'hey pass me the ball,' and shoot the ball a little bit with them."

He said building a relationship with people in the community builds trust.

"The badge is heavy. It carries a lot of weight, power and responsibility with it, but if you don’t let that go to your head and you treat people how you want to be treated, I think that’s just basic human decency 101," Collins said.

He said he understands people make mistakes, but it's owning up to them that matters most.

"I will always back somebody if they’re doing the right thing," Collins said. "I will back my men and women 100% if I they’re in the right. Knowing that you have that type of support makes it easier to go out and do your job."

Starting Monday, Collins will become the new face of the Rome Police Department.

"Don’t matter if you’re Black, white, Hispanic, male, female, what your sexual preference is. The only limiting factor is you. That’s what I’m hoping that this proves," Collins said.