The Tampa, Florida police chief was placed on administrative leave after body camera footage revealed her flashing her badge during a traffic stop and saying she hoped the officer would “let us go.”
Police Chief Mary O’Connor and her husband were pulled over by a Pinellas County deputy for driving a golf cart without a license plate on November 12.
In the video, the officer explains to the couple that they were pulled over for driving a vehicle without a license and tag.
During the stop, O’Connor asked the officer if his body camera was recording. The deputy replied: “It is.”
O’Connor says, “I’m the police chief in Tampa,” while showing her law enforcement badge.
“I hope you let us go tonight,” he added.
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Chief O’Connor and her husband were stopped by a Pinellas County deputy outside an Oldsmar neighborhood on November 12.
(Fox 13)
O’Connor was captured on body camera video asking if the officer’s camera was on and showing the officer her badge before saying, “I hope he lets us go tonight.”
(Fox 13)
“If you ever need anything, give me a call,” O’Connor said, handing the officer his card. “Really.”
The couple was fired.
O’Connor issued a statement after the video was posted, saying his actions were the result of “poor judgment” from driving on a public road without proper tags. She said that she realized that her handling could be seen as inappropriate.
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“It was poor judgment on our part to drive a golf cart on a public road without proper tags. This was the first time we had left the golf cart friendly community in which we own this vehicle, which prompted the need for a license plate,” O’Connor said. “In retrospect, I realize that my handling of this matter could be seen as inappropriate, but that was certainly not my intent. I knew my conversation was on video and my motive was not to put the deputy in an awkward position. I have personally called to the Pinellas County Sheriff and offered to pay for any potential citations.”
Mayor Jane Castor issued a statement Friday: “Police Chief Mary O’Connor has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into a recent traffic stop. Deputy Chief Lee Bercaw is serving as acting chief.”
(Fox 13)
He added: “I have expressed great remorse to the mayor and apologize to Tampa residents who have a reasonable expectation of better judgment from their police chief. As someone who has dealt with, owned up to and grown from my past mistakes I know that no one is above the law, including me.”
On Friday afternoon, Mayor Jane Castor released a statement about the incident, stating that the O’Connor was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into the traffic stop.
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Deputy Chief Lee Bercaw is serving as acting chief in Tampa during O’Connor’s leave, Castor said.
