The police chief in Tampa, Florida, resigned Monday after using her position to escape a ticket during a traffic stop involving a golf cart driven by her husband.

Mary O�Connor submitted her resignation after an internal affairs review found she violated police department policy during the Nov. 12 stop by a Pinellas County sheriff�s deputy.

During that stop � which was recorded on video by the deputy�s body camera � O�Connor identified herself as the Tampa chief, flashed her badge and said �I�m hoping you will let us go tonight.�

The deputy issued only a verbal warning instead of a citation, according to the internal affairs review. The golf cart did not have a license tag, a requirement for when such vehicles are driven on public streets. O�Connor�s husband, Keith, said they had just come from a restaurant and didn�t usually drive the cart on streets.

The internal review found O�Connor violated regulations on standards of conduct and �abuse of position or identification.�

�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,� Mayor Jane Castor � herself a former Tampa police chief � said in a statement requesting the resignation. �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.�

Castor appointed Lee Bercaw, who was assistant chief, as acting chief while a nationwide search begins. O�Connor served in the post for nearly a year.

Last week, O�Connor issued a statement apologizing for her conduct.

�In hindsight, I realize how my handling of this matter could be viewed as inappropriate, but that was certainly not my intent,� she said.

(AP)