Tampa police chief resigns in disgrace after pulling rank during golf cart traffic stop

The police chief of one of Florida's largest cities was forced to resign in disgrace after she was caught on camera asking a deputy to 'let her go' from a traffic stop.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor announced on Monday that she has accepted the resignation of Police Chief Mary O'Connor 'following the completion of an Internal Affairs investigation into a recent traffic stop.'

O'Conner and her husband, Keith, were pulled over by Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputy Larry Jacoby on November 12 at 7.30pm, when they were caught driving a golf cart on a road without a license plate tag.

She tried to pull rank on the deputy, body camera footage from the traffic stop revealed, asking him whether his camera was on before telling Jacoby:  'I'm the police chief from Tampa... I'm hoping that you'll just let us go tonight.'

Assistant Police Chief Lee Bercaw will now serve as the interim police chief as the mayor conducts a nationwide search for O'Conner's replacement.

Police Chief Mary O'Connor was forced to resign in disgrace after body camera footage revealed how she tried to pull rank on a sheriff's deputy to get out of a traffic stop

O'Conner and her husband, Keith, were pulled over by Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputy Larry Jacoby on November 12 at 7.30pm, when they were caught driving a golf cart on a road without a license plate tag 

The shocking body camera footage showed how O'Conner brazenly used her position to skirt any penalties.

She had asked Jacoby whether his camera was on, and when he confirmed that it was, O'Conner flashed her badge at the unassuming deputy.

Jacoby then said he thought he recognized O'Connor, and let her and her husband go after a handshake. 

O'Connor left him with her card and a message as they drove away: 'If you ever need anything call me - serious.'

Local reporters had tried to get the footage, which cops claimed not to have, for weeks before it was finally released on Thursday with O'Connor admitting to the public that she used 'poor judgment by noting my position at the Tampa Police Department.'

'I want you to hear it from me first prior to news stories circulating,' O'Connor told the public when the video was first released.

She said it was 'the first time we had ever taken the golf cart onto a public roadway, prompting the need for a license plate.

Mayor Jane Castor (pictured) announced on Monday that she has accepted O'Connor's resignation as police chief

'During our conversation with the deputy, which I knew was being recorded on body-worn camera, I used poor judgment by noting my position at the Tampa Police Department and asking him for forgiveness for our mistake,' she admitted.

O'Connor claimed at the time that while 'in hindsight' the interaction could be 'viewed as inappropriate, that was certainly not my intent.'

The chief said she was 'remorseful' and has offered to pay for any potential citation, while also apologizing to the mayor and 'to you employees of our police department as well.'

But in the aftermath, Castor placed O'Connor on administrative leave before announcing that she had requested and received the police chief's resignation.

In a statement announcing O'Connor's removal, Castor slammed the ex-chief for her actions during the traffic stop.

'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,' she said. 'As the Chief of Police, you are not only to abide by and enforce those standards, but to also lead by example. That clearly did not happen in this case.'

Assistant Chief Lee Bercaw has been promoted to Interim Police Chief as a nationwide search for O'Connor's successor continues

'It is unacceptable for any public employee, and especially the city's top law enforcement leader to ask for special treatment because of their position.'

The mayor then went on to tout O'Connor's accomplishments since she was promoted to police chief in March, after serving the department for 22 years.

During her time in the department, Bay News 9 reported, she worked with the police chaplain to implement a post-trauma training and retreat program to help officers cope with symptoms and stress associated with being a first responder.

She also helped launch an after-school program called The RICH House (Resources in Community Hope), which serves hundreds of children across the city and helped connect adults in need with social services.

And according to her LinkedIn, O'Connor served as an instructor for the FBI's Law Enforcement Executive Development Association.

But, the mayor noted in her statement, 'these accomplishments pale in comparison to the priority I place on integrity.'

She added that with Interim Chief Lee Bercaw 'we have a thoughtful and highly regarded leader in progressive policing' as a national search for a new police chief is ongoing.

'I am grateful he can hit the ground running and continue working with out community to keep our city safe,' Castor said.

O'Connor was promoted to police chief in March, after serving the department for 22 years

But this is not the first time O'Connor faced discipline while serving the community. 

In 1995 O'Connor - then Mary Minter - was a passenger when her then-boyfriend and future husband Keith O'Connor were pulled over on suspicion of DUI. 

Keith O'Connor was charged with drunk driving, while the future chief charged with assault on an officer, obstruction and disorderly intoxication for kicking the windows of the police car and punching a deputy. 

Mary O'Connor was eventually reinstated, working on the force until retiring in 2016 before coming back to serve as chief earlier this year. She said at the time she believed in second chances.

She later came under scrutiny again for participating in a police program that disproportionately stopped black bikers and for installing a mute function on police bodycams. 

In her resignation letter on Monday, O'Connor said she 'would never want my personal mistake to stand in the way of the progress I have made in mending relationships between the police department and the community, so for that reason I am resigning.

'I have full confidence that the nearly 1,000 officers who serve the city of Tampa every day with dedication and integrity will continue on with our mission,' she continued, adding: 'Whether I am wearing a badge or not, my commitment to service and oath of office remain a part of my every day life.'

She said she will now use her free time 'to reflect and spend time with my family and children before moving on to any future endeavors.

'It has been an honor to serve as your Chief of Police, and I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity,' O'Connor concluded.