The police chief of Tampa, Florida who flashed her badge to get out of a cease for touring in a golf cart with no license plate has resigned, based on an announcement revealed on Monday.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor requested former police chief Mary O’Connor’s resignation after an investigation into the Nov. 12 incident in Oldsmar, northwest of Tampa, which was captured on a Pinellas County sheriff’s deputy’s physique digital camera.
O’Connor, who was appointed police chief in February, was a passenger in a golf cart pushed by her husband that night time, police mentioned in a assertion.
The physique digital camera video exhibits O’Connor ask the deputy whether or not his physique digital camera is on, and when he responds that it’s, she says, “I’m the police chief in Tampa.”
The deputy asks how she’s doing.
“I’m doing good. I’m hoping that you just’ll simply allow us to go tonight,” O’Connor says as she opens her badge case and palms it to her husband, the video exhibits. The deputy then allow them to go.
In an announcement, O’Connor mentioned that it was the primary time the couple had left the “golf-cart pleasant neighborhood,” the place they personal a property, including that it was “poor judgment” to be driving it on a public roadway with out acceptable tags.
O’Connor provided to pay any superb and apologized to the deputy. She was positioned on administrative depart till she resigned Monday.
“Because the Chief of Police, you aren’t solely to abide by and implement these requirements however to additionally lead by instance,” Castor, who served as Tampa’s police chief from 2009 to 2015, mentioned in an announcement.
“It’s unacceptable for any public worker, and particularly the town’s prime legislation enforcement chief, to ask for particular remedy due to their place. Public belief in Tampa’s police division is paramount to our success as a metropolis and neighborhood,” Castor mentioned.
Assistant Chief Lee Bercaw will take over as performing chief “whereas a complete nationwide search is performed,” based on the assertion.
Phil Helsel contributed.
