Tampa Police Chief Resigns After Bodycam Video Release | #HeyJB on WFLA Now

At 1:00pm, Tampa city officials will announce the resignation of Police Chief Mary O'Connor.

On Nov. 12, O’Connor and her husband were pulled over in Oldsmar for driving in a golf car without a license plate. Body cam video showed her tell Deputy Larry Jacoby that she was Tampa’s police chief while flashing her badge.

“I’m hoping you’ll just let us go tonight,” she was heard saying before handing him her card.

[etet]

"If you ever need me call me, I'm serious"....corruption on full display.

[ubgudme]

any government official FLASHING THEIR BADGE in a non official business should fired right away, That is one the highest form of corruption so the woman who was with the chief must be fired and not allowed to resign. They don't get it, the power bestow on them is to protect the people not to protect them from braking the law.

[hermenutic]

The most disgusting feature of this incident is that it is the working example of what passes for equal justice under the law.
Should equal justice under the law resemble what we saw here?

[mpetershat]

This shows how dumb she was. Just let her husband get a ticket and pay it

[GACTVDX]

The FBI in Tampa is not done with her yet. More to be released soon.

[TASmith-ouis]

My problems: 1st: "I'm the Chief of Police of Tampa." 2nd: "If you ever need anything, let me know. I mean that."

[S_-]

Resign is the least she could do after that bodycam was released ! The officer destroying her card was satisfying

[VioletWings]

Thank you so much JB and staff for bringing this to us the public and for helping to bring accountability.

[maryratton]

Citizens don’t get a slap on the wrist and let go . We get tickets, go to court, sometimes straight to jail and sometimes have our vehicle towed away .

[goldseekersadventures]

It was definitely miss use of authority and possibly a bribery

[williamstorie]

Didn't Paul Pelosi pull out his "Donate to the Police Ball" car when he got in his DUI collision in Santa Rosa California several months ago? I believe he got very special treatment by the police and the prosecutor.

[darryllibby]

I hope they aren't letting the mayor pick another chief!!!...she's incompetent !!!

[misse]

I'm really glad to see law enforcement being held accountable. It not only removes this person of low integrity from a high ranking position of authority, but it also sends a message to other law enforcement agencies and other positions of authority and power-
And the message it sends is:
Don't think you're going to get away with anything! Not even a "minor" misstep.

[nh]

Check it out people! These are the people that serve and protect! "themselves"....

[Neonracer]

So she assaulted another officer, then went over and became a “good” officer. Now she a police chief? Ridiculous!

[mariebrown]

How about the deputy who let her off? He was not her deputy. He should be sanctioned for letting her go!

[TASmith-ouis]

Just read an article in Florida Politics from February 2022 that revealed Mary Minter (who would become Mary O'Conner in 1997) and Keith O'Connor were both fired from Tampa police dept in 1995 and then re-hired one year later.

[Dahna_]

she wouldnt have gotten the ticket anyway would she? wouldnt it have been her husband?

[Sunset-chaser]

STRIP HER OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS
SHAME on Tampa mayor
SHAME on Tampa citizens- speak up and out!

[andyschool]

JB, enjoy your coverage about my favorite vacation state… thx for the fair and balanced reporting while looking to tell a tale from both sides. You have integrity, JB.