TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa Mayor Jane Castor announced Friday that she has chosen interim Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw as the city's permanent chief.
Share this @internewscast.com

TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa Mayor Jane Castor announced Friday that she has chosen interim Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw as the city's permanent chief.
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw

TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa Mayor Jane Castor announced Friday that she has chosen interim Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw as the city’s permanent chief.

“It’s a career I’ve been doing for the last 27 years,” Chief Bercaw said during a Friday morning press conference. “The only thing that will change

Bercaw said his goal was “to enhance community policing” and that the “community wants to feel safe.

In the news: Pinellas County Detectives Arrest Tampa Man For Possession Of Child Porn

“It’s feeling safe,” Bercaw said. “It’s not just low crime stats. It’s how you feel in the community.”

Bercaw’s words echoed those spoken shortly before by Mayor Castor.

“We cannot be successful if our city is not safe and not perceived as safe by our community,” Castor said earlier in the press conference.

The city had been looking for a permanent chief since the previous chief, Mary O’Connor, resigned in December 2022.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor requested and received the resignation of Police Chief Mary O’Connor, following the completion of an Internal Affairs investigation into a recent traffic stop involving O’Connor.

“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. 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.” 

In the news: Miami, Tampa Top Housing Price Hikes

“It is unacceptable for any public employee, especially the city’s top law enforcement leader, to ask for special treatment because of their position. Public trust in Tampa’s police department is paramount to our success as a city and community,” Mayor Castor said in Decemeber.

On the evening of November 12, 2022, Chief O’Connor and her spouse were stopped by a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputy while riding in a golf cart without a license plate outside of a residential area in Oldsmar.

The incident was recorded on the Pinellas SO deputy’s body-worn camera.

During the stop by Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jacoby, O’Connor identified herself verbally and, with her police badge in hand, said, “I am hoping you will let us go tonight.”

She handed Pinellas County Deputy Jacoby a business card and added, “If you ever need anything, call me – serious.”

“It was poor judgment on our part to be driving a golf cart on a public roadway without the appropriate tags. This was the first time we had exited the golf-cart-friendly community in which we own property with this vehicle, prompting the need for a license plate,” said Tampa Police Chief O’Connor at the time.

Castor added, “This is especially disappointing because I gave Mary O’Connor a second chance, as I believe in second chances for people. Which is one of the reasons that the disappointment today runs so deep. I had high hope 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.”

Android Users, Click To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Signup for our free newsletter. 

We can’t do this without your help; visit our GiveSendGo page and donate any dollar amount; every penny helps.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Rupert Murdoch steps down as Fox and News Corp chairman

Rupert Murdoch has announced he will step down as chairman of Fox…
Don't mind me: Kylie Jenner made a low-key appearance at the Prada catwalk show during Milan Fashion Week on Thursday after slipping in through a side door

Kylie Jenner makes an unexpected front row appearance at Prada catwalk show as beauty mogul slips in through a side-door during Milan Fashion Week

Kylie Jenner makes an unexpected front row appearance at Prada catwalk show…

Savannah DeMelo Ethnicity: Is She Mixed Race? Religion

Savannah DeMelo ethnicity has been a topic of interest among her followers.…

How did the desperate housewife who hacked her love rival 41 times with an axe convince a jury it was self-defence?

To the casual onlooker, neighbours Betty Gore and Candy Montgomery had perfect…

You’re Only 3 Ingredients Away From These Extra-Hydrating Homemade Electrolyte Drink Recipes (No Neon Color or Sweetener Needed)

Whether you’re spending all day in the sun or sweating it out…

Kenya’s president is committing his country to lead a multinational force to Haiti to combat gangs

NAIROBI – Kenya’s president committed his country to leading a multinational force…

Florida Miranda Riley Obituary And Death Cause

Miranda Riley Obituary has been one of the most searched topics on…

Target of shooting that wounded young Sydney girl revealed

The intended target of a shooting that wounded a nine-year-old girl in…

Alex Beresford Parents: Father Noel And Mother Details

Alex Beresford Parents: Alex Beresford is an accomplished English weather presenter recognized…

First private US passenger rail line in 100 years is about to link Miami and Orlando at high speed

MIAMI – The first big test of whether privately owned high-speed passenger…

'We knew the numbers were bad': Law enforcement staff raised concerns about Ron DeSantis' top crime talking point

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s top law enforcement officials were repeatedly warned by…
Hillcrest High School shooting: Police ask for public help finding who shot Marshawn Mitchell as he left homecoming football game

Hillcrest High School shooting: Police ask for public help finding who shot Marshawn Mitchell as he left homecoming football game

Thursday, September 21, 2023 2:21AM COUNTRY CLUB HILLS, Ill. (WLS) — Country…