Tampa’s police chief was forced to resign after using her position to avoid a ticket during a traffic stop involving a golf cart driven by her husband.
Mary O’Connor resigned after an internal affairs review found she violated police department policy during the Nov. 12 incident in Florida.
O’Connor, who was caught on police body cameras, identified herself as the Tampa Chief, flashed her badge and said, “I hope you’ll let us go tonight.”
They were pulled over because the golf carts did not have license plates – which they must have if traveling on public streets.
O’Connor’s husband, Keith, said they had just returned from a restaurant and wouldn’t normally drive on the street.
An internal review found that O’Connor breached rules on standards of conduct and “abuse of authority or identification”.
Mary O’Connor subsequently resigned.Photo: Associated Press
“The Tampa Police Department has a code of conduct that includes high standards of ethical and professional conduct that apply to every member of our police force,” Mayor Jane Custer said in a statement.
“As a police chief, you not only have to abide by and enforce these standards, but also lead by example. That clearly did not happen in this case.”
Last week, O’Connor, who held the position for nearly a year, issued a statement apologizing for her actions.
“In hindsight, I realize my handling of the matter could have been viewed as inappropriate, but it certainly wasn’t my intention,” she said.