The Tampa police chief was forced to resign after she used her position to escape a fine during a traffic stop involving a golf cart driven by her husband.
Mary O’Connor resigned after an internal affairs review found that she had violated police department policy during the incident in Florida on Nov. 12.
Caught on police camera, O’Connor identified herself as the head of Tampa, flashed her badge and said, “I hope you’ll let us go tonight.”
They were pulled over because the golf cart didn’t have a license plate, which they must have if driven on public roads.
O’Connor’s husband Keith said they had just arrived from a restaurant and did not usually drive the wagon on the streets.
The internal review found that O’Connor violated the standards of conduct and “abuse of position or identification” rules.
Mary O’Connor subsequently resigned. photo: AP
“The Tampa Police Department has a code of conduct that includes high standards of professional and ethical behavior that apply to every member of our police force,” Mayor Jane Castor said in a statement.
“As Chief of Police, you not only have to meet and enforce those standards, but also lead by example. That clearly didn’t happen in this case.”
O’Connor, who held the position for nearly a year, released a statement last week apologizing for his conduct.
“In hindsight, I realize how my handling of this matter could be seen as inappropriate, but that was certainly not my intent,” he said.
