'I'm hoping that you'll just let us go': Tampa police chief resigns after golf cart traffic stop

[@jtl-en4yx]

The fact that she asked if his camera was on means the she was going to cause trouble for him if he did not let her go! The smugness is absolutely disgusting! You just know this is how she is with everyone who has to work with her!

[@Paulco67]

I don’t agree with your assessment at all. In fact, she was way over the top polite to the officer.

[@bobgreen1236]

@@Paulco67 And asked him to treat her differently than he would anyone without her connections....

[@scarface9617]

@@bobgreen1236 Now, can you time stamp please.. I Didn't Hear that Part, Period!

[@bobgreen1236]

@@scarface9617 "I'm hoping you'll just let us go"....It's literally the 3rd sentence out of her mouth. Period!

[@cyberone2763]

Exactly, it's disgusting. 👎

[@Moellmoell]

*She resigned so she can keep her pension smh but that's how they let things happen*

[@keenang4705]

ya, but, should she lose her pension for driving a golf cart on the road? I don't think so.

[@chasityharmon7891]

I do not think this warrants her not being able to keep her pension

[@goatjames328]

@@keenang4705 teach one, teach all

[@TA_Plus_Hemi]

​@@keenang4705 We live in a society where you can lose your career and pension for a seemingly benign remark. Why should she get to keep hers?

[@dustinworcester2799]

@@keenang4705 that's how you see this? It isn't her losing her pension over the golf cart...it'd be losing it for abusing her badge to get out of shit. You KNOW this is not the first time she's used it to get special treatment. Honestly, as soon as any officer, chief or not, abuses their position like this, they should be fired and lose their pension. Doesn't matter if it was driving a golf cart on the road or DUI, using the badge to get out of shit based on their job should warrant that exact treatment.

[@briobrandon911]

People that think everyone in a position of power are glorified and dignified individuals really need to reassess their realities because that is so far from the truth. People with power will most of the time abuse their power either discreetly or blatantly as is the case here. The audacity is high.

[@Nighthawk-8050]

Unfortunately she got drunk with power she should have put the bottle down

[@noahsichel7764]

It's equally audacious to claim "people of power will most of the time abuse thier power" most of the time? How could you possibly know?

[@srlnee6445]

Oh shut up you peasants! We are the law and you are our cash cow! Don't like it? then move to Mars you garbage peasants!!

[@stephenpatterson4802]

One down, one to go. The cop should have said I respect your position as a police chief, and with that in mind, I have to write you a ticket the same as I would for a non police chief. He did not do that, so he needs to be punished in some fashion or another.

[@PumpkinKingXXIII]

Asks “Is your camera on?” And still says who she is and asks for preferential treatment.

[@wrecker402]

I swear the world is filled with DUMB people, Imagine the example she would have set for the rest of the rank and file had she kept quiet on who she was and just accept the Penalty. Not only she would still have her job but folks would say " how refreshing to not try to use her position to get out of something".

[@InnAdTech]

What a silly way to lose your position…

[@scorch4299]

eh....imagine how many times its worked. i bet alot. it looks like a bigger deal than it is tho. before cameras, i bet this shit happened ALL THE TIME for much worse than a stupid golf cart.

[@julioblanco]

Abuse of power is a legitimate way of losing your position!

[@saltminer9120]

She was a loser as a rookie and this leopard never changed her spots. Thanks to the camera she finally got caught.

[@chrisfalx3251]

U mean early retirement with pension lol

[@chasityharmon7891]

It’s even sillier that people are commenting that she doesn’t deserve her pension I mean come on

[@achromatic03]

Tip of the iceberg! I would bet money this kind of behavior is universally rampant

[@Paulco67]

She was a passenger on a golf cart for God sake! Hardly the crime of the century. She asked the cop for a break. He gave her one. Next time you are pulled over, I’m sure you’ll ask for a break.

[@cgatito3528]

Tons of videos on youtube of entitled off duty cops whipping out their badges and asking for breaks (DUI, speeding, etc). Due to the advent of badge cams, they are getting away with it less and less. Sorry, one set of laws for ALL of us.

[@zackerydearing4379]

@@Paulco67 sure it wasn't that serious of a crime. But she still tried to use her position to get herself out of trouble. That is corruption.

[@Grendelbc]

Lol. Hard to believe when so many cops do so much worse and either get a slap on the wrist or get away with no discipline at all.

[@hks2377]

She previously assaulted a cop, then tried to abuse her power in this case. It’s not about the golf cart. If she had just agreed to pay the ticket/go to court for the ticket, she would have been out some $ or embarrassed, at worst.

[@stephenpatterson4802]

Let me tell you this, the police and the prison system is a business, it’s never been about right and wrong, it’s about money. When the people decide to limit funding, then things will change. I’m being illegally detained at a halfway house in El Paso Texas because it’s about money, even though I have 99% of my full sentence served. I’m fighting to prove this, but funding needs to stop.

[@brettdowden9213]

Her background check alone would disqualify anyone else from becoming an officer, much less Chief. Known quantity and performed just as expected. While I certainly believe in second chances, some offenses are not such that they should be ignored or explained away. This person committed battery on a deputy years ago during a traffic stop. Why in hell was she allowed to wear a badge again? Sometimes you get what you ask for. Another black eye for law enforcement.

[@Nighthawk-8050]

Exactly she should have been kicked off the force

[@srlnee6445]

Oh shut up you peasants! We are the law and you are our cash cow! Don't like it? then move to Mars you garbage peasants!!

[@redwood421]

Good riddance to a bad apple. Hope the deputy faces consequences as well for not performing his duty.

[@Paulco67]

He did his job! Was he supposed to give the guy a ticket and bust his balls? Crime is rampant in the cities and this non event upsets you??

[@disneyfan9099]

@@Paulco67 I mean the officer didn’t even ask for their license

[@Nighthawk-8050]

Why? The deputy didn't do anything wrong he did the right thing he reported it

[@deadheroz]

@@Paulco67 Pigs don't get to break the law. They should suffer more that anyone else for trying to.

[@lombardo141]

You are right and also it’s kinda grey. I am not in law enforcement but from outside looking in sounds like abuse of power.

[@lombardo141]

It’s just shows the inner culture of the police as a whole. This is just one of thousands of so call favors that go unreported.

[@ezragonzalez8936]

don't be a criminal and you will be alright!

[@johnzajac9849]

The cop should have said, 'sorry, but I have to do my job'. Is that on the video?

[@jarredjacob2244]

And the officer who let her go?

[@bigquest5370]

Why are they not talking about her assaulting another officer and pleading guilty to it. And later being promoted to chief 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@cpl.oralove425]

I see nothing shocking here. This is how they operate with each other.

[@mahndasavageENT]

Old news

[@Ozhull]

And you're just accepting it? Some patriot you are...

[@cpl.oralove425]

@@Ozhull did I say I accept it dummy? I simply pointed out that it's not surprising.

[@appalachianqueen8369]

Wow, O’Connor was so confident and smug in her approach to asking the cop to pretend he didn’t see the traffic violation she and her husband were committing.

[@audramuth4147]

I love how people who are “somebody” in their county , city …. Think they are ABOVE , regular citizens. Like listen, just bc you are chief of whatever doesn’t make you exempt from standard every day law of the streets!

[@oo7-ro6bu]

Rules for thee but not for me

[@GACTVDX]

Here you go Polk Sheriff Gady Judd - Do your duty with your stand-up press comedy with this former Tampa Police Chief.

[@rooster1012]

I thought we discussed that you would stop huffing paint...

[@fauxque5057]

@@rooster1012 That would explain why he wants the Polk County Sheriff to weigh in on a Pinellas County, Hillsborough County issue. Polk County is 64 miles from Pinellas County, and 40 miles from Hillsborough County.

[@TA_Plus_Hemi]

Okay who was supposed to explain jurisdictions to this moron?

[@alanmorris7669]

Who really cares that she has "resigned?" All she's going to do is go to a different county and land another job in law enforcement. She needs to be prohibited from applying for a job in law enforcement throughout the entire State of Florida! I've lost all respect for our police agencies.

[@manipetty99]

what a wonderful service that we all pay taxes on

[@saltminer9120]

What a wonderful decision mayor Castor made when hiring her 😒

[@tracyskitchenandappalachia2954]

Officer should resign too. 😡😡😡

[@mr.d8214]

Damn, just take the ticket. You know, like EVERYBODY ELSE.

[@ralphcantrell3214]

No worries. I'm sure the police union will say she acted in accordance with her training and all will be fine.

[@kimclarke5018]

They didn’t have a license on the golf cart on a public roadway. Neither of them was intoxicated. Quite frankly she was polite, yeah she bent the rules. And the last incident was 27 years ago. You have one of your senators who defrauded Medicare and Medicaid out of billions and he then went on to be your governor and then senator. Seriously this is small potatoes.

[@exoressdelivers70]

People voted him in. He was not 'given' a governorship or a senate seat. Former Washington DC mayor Marion Barry was video taped buying crack cocaine and arrested. He was re-elected.

[@geneawisea2708]

As a retired cop, I love it when Command Staff get busted on body cam 😂👏🇺🇸

[@ReverendBrown.]

The “arresting” cop should be fired as well. He flat out let criminal behavior slide.

[@lilmateo919]

You are free to find new employment, Mrs Piggy

[@cgatito3528]

She won't need to since she'll have her phat tax payer funded pension. I bet it's $150k+/yr.

[@bethhayes1]

You cant tell me this doesnt happen EVERY day! You know cops let cops and firefighters go if they pull them over and find out. Im a nurse and that has gotten me out of a speeding ticket on my way to work one night. I had worked with the cop in the ER a month before!! Jus sayin!!

[@stephaniejoy3334]

Who you are shines brightly once you're given power. What you do with that power speaks volumes about your moral character. Many people granted power misuse it...I'm actually surprised she has enough character to not only be embarrassed but to resign...the right thing to do, at the very least.

[@ldsr8911]

She resigned to keep the pension. Nothing virtuous.

[@stephaniejoy3334]

@@ldsr8911 And there goes any shred of decency I was giving her...you're probably right.

[@Nighthawk-8050]

Merry Christmas ex-police chief O'Connor what a wonderful gift you so deserve

[@scarface9617]

That she did.. She gets to retire and Keep Her Pension.. Soo, She come out great!

[@Nighthawk-8050]

@@scarface9617 big deal she got her pension but she ruined her name her integrity to me that's important

[@painlessadventure]

"These are not the Droids you're looking for."

[@ocvegasproperty]

Oh dear, like every cop in the world doesn’t do the same thing when they pulled over? Gimme a break.

[@jason2014]

Yeah so it makes it even worse

[@4catsnow]

The deputy could have sustained a significant back injury when the chief id

[@cesar9379]

Ah yes corruption at its finest

[@bobwallace9753]

She screwed. She did the right thing by resigning soon after. Unless she has other problems then someone should give her a third chance. Everyone screws up and needs to be allowed to improve.

[@calibleek19ify]

In the world we live in today this seems pretty insignificant and ridiculous that she lost her job over it.

[@Ozhull]

That kind of attitude is exactly why our country is full of fascist bootlickers.

[@Yamas258]

Freals…. But I think there’s a bunch of stuff that was about to be uncovered on top

[@ki641]

Stop deep throating the whole boot you cuck

[@ricrimshot]

Abuse of power or position is not insignificant, especially by a leader of law enforcement

[@andre1987eph]

I agree. It’s called a “diversion”. They go all out nuclear on very minor misconduct in order to mask major corruption somewhere else. This tactic is endemic in the United States.

[@JoeZyzyx]

I didn't even know you could get a license plate for a golf cart!

[@MrFinesse316]

Need to call her to get information on how NOT to get INVESTIGATED...

[@MW-xm1rc]

There are rules for thee, but they don’t apply to me! Next chief will be black, bet ya!

[@InnAdTech]

Being a chief of Police, she should have acted way smarter. She knew the ways around, so she could have acted without showing her badge or maybe just be polite to the point that officer would let them go. Or or or she could have accidentally flash her badge while looking for driver License, without verbally acknowledging her position. Officer would have noticed it anyway, and would have treated them differently most likely.....

[@mr.d8214]

The hope part was legal but the promise to help the officer was an illegal, "quid pro quo."

[@AnInvalidInvalidAmI]

"ANYTHING".

[@erpthompsonqueen9130]

Good grief.

[@kinggodzilla5883]

Thank you for your service now break the law and let me go

[@khawmtiti4460]

I pretty sure if the deputy camera was off the chief is about to lecture this deputy about the law and her inconvenience being pulled over

[@gojirajenkins8528]

why even have a chief ? why not use a council of high ruling member with checks and balances in place ?

[@TA_Plus_Hemi]

Because everybody has been so deranged that checks and balances are failing in the federal government.

[@Boarddirector]

EVERY COP does this!

[@peterdarlington4117]

Really a golf cart? They got in trouble for driving a golf cart? Damn them standards are getting tough😂

[@andre1987eph]

I know man. Two old people riding in a golf cart. They act like they caught Osama bin Laden.😂

[@MOAB-UT]

Disgusting but this is how it works "folks." Those with power get special privilege's. Every day this happens only with no camera they get away with it. Then, she doubles down and tells him if he ever needs anything, she will reciprocate- she adds, "I'm Serious." DONE.

[@wheelmanny]

She asks if the camera is on. He says “yes”. Then she continues with “Give me special treatment”. They think nothing of getting special treatment and that they deserve it and everybody should be fine with it.

[@themostimportantgamersonea9894]

the cop that let her go should be held accountable for letting this good ol boy system persist. zero integrity

[@monicathewitch]

Who cares what position she holds she should be treated like any other person.

[@treasurecoastgypsy]

Good to see, that corruption , is being addressed, imagine, if a nobody citizen, would of driven a golf cart , not road legal !!

[@boshaft]

She wasn't driving. She was trying to keep her husband from getting a ticket. Cops writing other cops spouses tickets is not good practice either. It all falls under professional courtesy and it is allowed and accepted worldwide.

[@hks2377]

Taking it to court/ paying would show no one’s above the law & trust in the system she’s part of! Instead, she meets slight adversity with 0 integrity. Asks if the camera’s on & abuses her power. Seems like the cop was inclined to let her, but…

[@g5realestate280]

Why didn’t she just pay for the ticket. She had more to gain than to loose. That would have magnified her credibility.

[@andan04]

The officer who "just let [her] go" should also resign.

[@candyland4517]

TOP COP NO LONGER

[@lillieberger2883]

This is news?

[@julioblanco]

Is someone forcing you to watch it?

[@saltminer9120]

Absolutely. Shows mayor Castor is inept when it comes to character judgement and shouldn't be in a position to hire city officials. Castor was warned when she first revealed who her pick for chief was and it turns out those city council members were right. Hiring O Connor was a complete failure and rests on Castors shoulders now.

[@rooster1012]

@@saltminer9120 Oh wow having to hire a new chief such a calamity how will Tampa survive......

[@saltminer9120]

@@rooster1012 its obvious you're ignorant and have little knowledge of how important a stable, reliable and honest city police chief is to the safety of the community. It just shows Castor in inept. Have a great day 👏

[@1989inception]

Thats real police work right there stopping a golf cart for not having a plate lol

[@Erin-Thor]

A golf cart in a golf community on the roads is very common. What’s the big deal?

[@lobso123]

This doesn’t seem that serious. It’s a golf cart. Any normal person would say I hope you’d let us go for something this small.

[@georgeschneider8778]

She could have avoided this headache if she had a FUV🤷‍♂️

[@JoeZyzyx]

Does Tampa require a license plate hanging off the hindquarters of a horse? I've never seen such. One on a bicycle? What about an electric assist bicycle? Is one required for a Jazzi, or a motorized handicap wheelchair? Require one on a riding lawn mower? I've seen retirement communities where people use non licensed golf carts, which are permitted there. Seems this is a lot of noise about a lot of nothing.

[@BillyAlabama]

Perfect resolution to the Mary problem.

[@margo3367]

Why didn’t she just let her husband accept the ticket? She could have kept her job and saved herself all the grief.

[@taylornorth]

Battery of a law Enforcement officer? Damn, I guess someone got smacked up for insubordination, she’s a gangsta

[@tomhenry897]

Our honest police To bad the cop who pulled her over will be fired as she keeps her job

[@dannygarcia8338]

Chief,,, "I'm Bond, James, Bond " Deputy,, I'm, Fiff, Barney Fiff...

[@DrTuriLouis]

Had the Tampa police chief been warned, taken me seriously, and read my warnings, she would have her job today! read from my channel!

[@ezragonzalez8936]

dont get the fuss over a golf cart with no plates? they just wanted her out

[@Bobbyleejoe2556]

How do you know when a US Government officials is lying?? Their lips are moving. 😂

[@kingarchnyc]

Did not even last past the anniversary… 🤦‍♂️

[@landen99]

That's a really trivial "abuse of position". Sounds more like politics.

[@maddmunkee2]

While it probably wasn’t the most professional, but I don’t think it was so wrong that she should have resigned. Many of us have been on a four wheeler or a golf cart, driving with suspended license or what have you, and praying we don’t get caught or pulled over. And I’m sure that many people that have maybe Worked for a company and maybe was a manager / employee from another franchise or “sister store” And informed that store that they were a manager or employee and was asking for a discount or whatever. She was not mean or rude,nor was she was using her “power “for leverage In a threatening or A vindictive manner. She was very nice about it and yeah she probably Went about it the wrong way, but in the end she was hopeful he would let her go. I could be wrong, but honestly, I think what she said was something that most of us would have said ourselves. Nobody wants a ticket. There are bad cops out there but there’s also a lot of good ones, And a lot of people forget that they are People too. I think anytime anyone is pulled over, I think the Majority of us No matter who you are, Are hoping and praying that they too let you go without any repercussions like a ticket.

[@MOAB-UT]

speak for yourself. clearly that is how you roll. others believe in education and following the law my friend. Let me guess- you did not go very far professionally and you are angry at many people. Shame. Change must start with YOU. Namaste. 🤭

[@maddmunkee2]

@@MOAB-UT No I actually did very well for myself 53 retired living a beautiful five bedroom home with no house payment..I spend my days riding my horses. I live a very good happy life. But that’s neither here nor there..point is, I’m not saying anything that isn’t true. many of us have been stopped at one time or another and last thing we want is a ticket. Many cops get pulled over all the time I don’t know the statistics, but I do know that they are just as human as everyone else. I guess the next time you get pulled over, You will be one of the few that will be happy you got a ticket... Namaste back to you my friend

[@a.a.a.8365]

Goes without say, No 0nes above the Law ⚖️

[@marcelinorodriguez6553]

Sad.

[@That1PlaceBehindTheBush]

Honestly, after watching the (all too short) video clip...there are much worse things. Some law enforcement have brutally beaten/killed civilians and gotten a 2-week paid vacay, while this lady vouches for her husband and loses her job. Not really sad for her, mind (it is an abuse of power, after all, no matter how small), just an observation.

[@jayrad1973]

I don't really see the big deal. Sure she made a mistake. You can see her husband kind of fold her badge back up. The world needs a little more compassion for people.

[@samircalindas7225]

How about the policeman who pulled them over? He should also be disciplined for not doing his job.

[@johndoe-zv9ei]

She did the right thing she is Corrupt and disgraced TPD Chief she even asked if the camera 🎥 is rolling as if she wants to coverup this event

[@saltminer9120]

February 18 2022: In emailed responses to questions from the Tampa Bay Times, Castor spokesperson Adam Smith said O’Connor “has been busy leading the police department, talking with officers, meeting with residents, examining initiatives and policies, and more since the moment Mayor Castor appointed her.” “It’s rather bizarre in a strong mayor form of government to suggest that a highly qualified woman selected as police chief by Mayor Jane Castor, who spent 31 years in law enforcement, should wait for seven men to sign off before getting to work,” Smith said. Well this didn't age well Mr Smith. This is the exact reason the city council should have the last say. Its obvious the mayor is inept when it comes to character judgement. Typical of Democrats.

[@Ozhull]

You're so close to the point, and you completely go off the rails in the end blaming the democrats. Ridiculous.

[@TheDJEnrique]

Why do they open there mouths when there cameras on

[@scarface9617]

Why the hell did the lady lose her job.. it's not like, We don't all ask.. if We can just be ..Let Go!

[@alejandroc7357]

Yeah but for us normal folk it doesn’t work for us since we’re nobodies. It’s abuse of power plain and simple

[@romulus_]

she's corrupt. don't be a simpleton.

[@elliotthonduras1164]

A golf cart people…we talking about practice….not a game

[@FullFrontalExposure]

She only resigned to keep her money

[@mlite30]

For a state that backs the blue it seems to have a lot of issues involving the blue.

[@TheSuperCoolMan122]

not everyone deserves a second chance, you have to earn a second chance

[@jmsmeier1113]

They should offer the position to Chip DeBlock.

[@PenelopeGT]

Jane Castor like she doesnt know what goes on

[@tommybryant3408]

To bad Jane should be the one to resign

[@lamasimon9421]

😂😂😂 seriously, call me

[@hinhankola]

Wow……..

[@Monado6]

corruption to the core

[@charleslloyd4253]

Unfortunately liberal Yampa believes muggers, robbers, rapist, child abusers and killers deserve a second chance also. Tampa is a boil om Florida's ars.

[@bobby6657]

its called professional courtesy, cops don't give cops tickets...theres nothing wrong with that, as long as recklessness and disregard for life isn't the case... which it certainly isn't here...every single cop in this world let alone this country whips out there credentials when they get pulled over. wow driving around in a golf cart what a felony, its not like she was abusive, condescending, rude or using her position to cover up a crime. She and her husband were driving around on a golf cart! everything in this world is efin backwards.......all you people in this thread that are against this are morons....I bet all of you who are roasting this person, if you had that badge in your pocket would pull it out too, I know I would. especially if it said Chief on it.........

[@wenhaosun9256]

I Worship camera

[@andre1987eph]

This is non sense. There is such a thing as professional courtesy. And in most cases it’s deserved. She’s merely riding a golf cart. People act like she embezzled money or something. She made political enemies somewhere. In cases like this, it’s usually some evil person who will take over her vacant position. This is how evil comes in to power.

[@ricrimshot]

This comment is nonsense. There is such a thing as nobody is above the law. You're right that she was merely riding a golf cart, which means a minimal punishment, which she should have taken and gone on with her day. Evil is already in power when the people with power abuse that power.