A day after the fanfare surrounding Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s nomination of Deputy Chief Eric Ward as the next Tampa police chief, there are signs Ward may have a tough time getting confirmed by council.
Tampa city council chairman Frank Reddick says he may vote “no” on Ward’s nomination if Ward doesn’t vow to end the the bicycle ticketing program after word that 80 percent of those cited are black.
Mayor Buckhorn says he wants a U.S. Justice Department review of all bicycle citations issued by city police officers finished before any changes are made, including discontinuing the program.
It will take four of seven city council members to confirm Ward to replace retiring police chief Jane Castor.
