Tampa Police Chief Flashes Badge To Get Out of Traffic Violation, Resigns After Massive Backlash

Chief Mary O'Connor of the Tampa Police Department resigned on Monday after she was caught on camera during a traffic stop proudly displaying her badge.

After an Internal Affairs investigation into a prior traffic stop involving the police chief concluded. Mayor Jane Castor reportedly requested and received the Tampa police chief's resignation.

Based on body camera footage from a traffic violation last month, CNN reported that O'Connor was placed on administrative leave after telling a sheriff's officer that she hoped he would let them go that night and flashing her badge.

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office surveillance film from November 12 shows O'Connor riding as a passenger in a golf cart that was pulled up for not having a license plate tag.

O'Connor, who introduced herself as the Tampa police chief, asked the deputy if his body camera was on as he explained why they had been stopped.

She showed him her badge and asked him to let her go.

Former Tampa Police Chief Mary O'Connor Apologized and Resigned

The next day, then-Police Chief Mary O'Connor offered an apology.

In her response, O'Connor stated she understood that her actions came off as inappropriate, but it was not her intention. She explained that she was conscious of being recorded and that her goal was to spare the officer from an awkward situation.

According to USA Today, O'Connor expressed "great remorse" to the mayor and promised to pay for any fines the sheriff's department issued.

On the following day, Castor announced that the police chief had been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

Castor announced the chief's resignation on Monday.

In the former Tampa police chief's resignation letter, she spoke of her successes as chief of police but also accepted responsibility for her conduct.

Mary O'Connor said that she would never want her mistake to impede the work she has achieved in rebuilding ties between the community and the police department, per CBS News.

"So for that reason, I am resigning," she wrote.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor's Statement

The mayor published a statement on Monday expressing his displeasure with O'Connor's actions.

"The Tampa Police Department has a code of conduct that includes high standards for ethical and professional behavior that apply to every member of our police force. As the Chief of Police, you are not only to abide by and enforce those standards but also to lead by example. That clearly did not happen in this case," Castor said.

She said that any city's chief law officer, in particular, should not be afforded preferential treatment because of their position.

Castor said she was grateful for Mary O'Connor's work as Tampa's police chief, citing her efforts to reduce violent gun crime, proactive interaction with the community, and focus on officer welfare.

However, these achievements pale compared to the importance she placed on integrity.

WLWT noted that the mayor said she anticipates the nationwide search and hiring a new Tampa police chief to take many months.

Meanwhile, she appointed Assistant Chief Lee Bercaw as acting police chief.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

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