Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley has come under fire after bodycam video emerged of her swearing at an officer who pulled her over for speeding. Doorley failed to pull over initially and drove to her home where the heated exchange took place.
Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley is facing intense scrutiny after a Freedom of Information Act request released bodycam footage of a traffic stop where she was caught swearing at an officer while failing to comply with his requests. The incident, which occurred on April 22, 2024, has prompted New York Governor Kathy Hochul to initiate a state investigation into Doorley's conduct.
According to the footage, Officer Michael Jones pulled over Doorley near her home in Webster, New York, for driving at 55 mph in a 35 mph speed zone. However, Doorley initially failed to pull over and proceeded to drive for almost half a mile before finally stopping at her residence.
Upon approaching the vehicle, Jones can be seen engaging in a heated verbal exchange with Doorley. The footage shows Doorley arguing with the officer, repeatedly refusing to comply with his requests, and making statements such as "I don't really care" and "I'm the one who prosecutes it."
At one point, Doorley called Webster Police Chief Dennis Kohlmeier, requesting his intervention. She asked him to tell the officer to leave her alone, stating that she had just finished a challenging day at work, including dealing with three murders in the city.
Despite Jones's repeated attempts to explain the reason for the traffic stop and his duties as an officer, Doorley continued to defy his commands. She accused him of being an "a--hole," told him to "get out of my f---ing house," and refused to come outside as instructed.
Following the release of the footage, Governor Hochul expressed her concern and ordered a referral to the Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct. The commission will review Doorley's conduct and determine if any sanctions are warranted.
Hochul stated that District Attorneys have a responsibility to uphold ethical standards and cannot claim immunity from the law. She said, "We are deeply grateful to the men and women of law enforcement who put on a uniform each day to protect the safety of all New Yorkers."
The Monroe County District Attorney's office issued a statement regarding the incident, acknowledging Doorley's speeding violation and explaining her reasons for initially failing to pull over. However, the statement did not address her subsequent behavior or her disrespectful treatment of the officer.
Doorley has been a controversial figure in the past. She switched her political affiliation from Democrat to Republican in 2015 and has been criticized for her handling of high-profile cases. The recent incident has further raised concerns about her fitness for office.
The all-Democrat Rochester City Council has also joined the chorus of criticism, calling for an investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The council members questioned Doorley's ability to serve as District Attorney and uphold the rule of law.
