Police chief resigns after trying to dodge traffic fine by flashing her badge

A police chief who was stopped when driving a golf cart down the street and flashed her badge to try and dodge a traffic ticket has now resigned.

Bodycam footage emerged of Mary O'Connor, police chief of Tampa, Florida, and her husband being stopped last month by a Pinellas County sheriff's deputy as they drove an un-tagged golf cart down the street.

On Monday, the mayor of Tampa condemned the chief's actions and said she broke ethics rules.

"Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has requested and received the resignation of Police Chief Mary O'Connor," the mayor said in a statement released by her office, adding that she violated policies on "standard of conduct" and "abuse of position or identification".

In the video that was released last week, O’Connor can be seen to identify herself, announcing her title before flashing her badge and asking the deputy to let them off the offence.

Mary O'Connor can be seen flashing her badge in the golf cart with her husband (CNN)

She says: “I am hoping that you’ll just let us go tonight.”

The deputy then lets them leave without a ticket, saying: "it's nice meeting you."

She was placed on administrative leave as an investigation into the incident took place.

O’Connor later apologised for her behaviour and “poor judgement” in a statement in which she claimed she had “taken ownership of and grown from” her past mistakes.

Mary O'Connor has now resigned just months into the role (Tampa Police Department)

She also offered to pay the citation fine.

Despite this, Mayor Jane Castor criticised the police chief for failing to meet the "high standards for ethical and professional behaviour" expected of her and branded her behaviour as “unacceptable”.

Her statement read: “I had high hopes for Chief O’Connor, as she was off to such a strong start by reducing violent gun crime, proactively engaging with our community and focusing on officer wellness.

"But these accomplishments pale in comparison to the priority I place on integrity.

Body cam footage emerged of The Tampa Police chief dodging a traffic fine (CNN)

“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.”

Mary O’Connor assumed her role as chief in March after serving 22 years in the police force.

In 1995, she was accused of attacking deputies during a traffic stop and fired from the force, only to be re-hired one year later.