Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 3-25-22

Feature
Police Chief Mary O’Connor Confirmed By City Council By 4-2 Vote
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
The Tampa City Council has con- firmed Mary O’Connor as the new Chief of Police for the Tampa Police Department by a vote of 4 to 2.
After former City Council member John Dingfelder resigned on Mon- day, March 14, 2022, only six Council members were available for the vote. With the city charter requiring at least four votes for confirmation, the deci- sion wasn’t predictable. City Council Chairman Orlando Gudes and Councilman Bill Carlson voted against confirmation, while Council members Guido Maniscalco, Joe Citro, Charlie Miranda, and Luis Viera voted to confirm Chief O’Con- nor.
The new chief returns to a depart- ment in the midst of reform. The retire- ment of controversial former Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan last Sep- tember opened the door for the Tampa Police Department to pivot to more community policing and away from heavy-handed tactics. According to sources, the department had a 24% in- crease in use of force during arrests under Chief Dugan.
In 2020, TPD had a 28% increase in officers pointing their guns at citizens. The then-Chief’s reaction to Black Lives Matter protests in the city were seen as anachronistic and contrary to public opinion.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor with con- firmed Police Chief, Mary O’Connor.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor ini- tially went to popular Assistant Chief, Ruben “Butch” Delgado, to act as acting chief. Delgado’s tenure went smoothly as his deep roots and ties to Tampa were reflected. He enjoyed the support of many, including City Council Chairman Orlando Gudes and NAACP Hillsborough County President, Yvette Lewis.
Mayor Castor’s office announced on January 26, 2022, that there were three finalists for police chief, Miami Assistant Chief Cherise Gause,
acting Chief Delgado, and Mary O’- Connor. On February 8, 2022, Mayor Castor announced that O’- Connor was her pick. At the time, Castor noted O’Connor’s career with TPD and her familiarity with the de- partment, as well as O’Connor’s work as a police consultant.
Chief O’Connor overcame initial backlash related to an incident that happened when she was 24-years-old and a rookie police officer. However, her subsequent work on the force, which included 6 promotions has been praised widely. She was supported by many, including local women’s groups and prominent civil rights leader Arthenia Joyner, who spoke on her behalf at the March 17th Council meet- ing.
All the City Council members, re- gardless of their position, expressed their disappointment with the trans- parency of the selection process, and the fact that Chief O’Connor began the job immediately after being named by the Mayor and before she was con- firmed by the Council.
Council member Luis Viera stated that, “we need to distinguish between the process and the very good record of this woman.” However, he stated that the situation
had been
mishandled.
Several members of the commu-
nity including Ms. Brown noted con- troversial policing programs that O’- Connor spearheaded during her previous tenure at the TPD. One of the most controversial was the dispropor- tionate citing of Black cyclists. The practice was soundly rebuked by the Justice Department.
The two dissenters, Carlson and Gudes, emphasized the process was unconventional and neither inclusive nor transparent.
Council chair, Gudes, who is a for- mer TPD officer talked about the lack of promotions during his tenure as an officer and the transparency issue.
Councilman Carlson suggested that the process start again and be re- spectful of the citizens of Tampa. He emphasized the lack of respect for the balance of power and the City Council.
Councilman Citro, who origi- nally supported Chief Delgado for the permanent position, overcame his reluctance against O’Connor, but still felt that the process excluded the City Council and the Council’s Public Safety committee.
Mayor Castor did not attend the meeting. After the vote, O’Connor thanked the Council and told them, “I won’t let you down.”
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