The Monroe County District Attorney, Sandra Doorley, was caught on bodycam footage calling a police officer an expletive after he attempted to pull her over for speeding in Upstate New York. This incident has sparked concern from the Rochester City Council, who wrote a letter to the Attorney General requesting an investigation into Doorley’s behavior. They question her fitness to serve as District Attorney and believe her actions violate the standards of ethics, accountability, and respect for the law that public officials are held to. The lawmakers argue that such behavior undermines the credibility and integrity of the justice system and erodes public trust.
Doorley admitted to driving 55 mph in a 35 mph zone near her home in Webster, New York. After the officers tried to pull her over, she continued driving and informed the police chief that she would speak to the officer at her house. The officer followed her and issued a ticket, which she accepted. Doorley pleaded guilty in municipal court because she believes in accepting responsibility for her actions and did not want to use her position to receive a benefit. However, bodycam footage released by the Webster police showed a tense exchange between Doorley and the officer in her driveway, where she displayed defiance and disregard for the law enforcement’s attempts to conduct a traffic stop.
During the encounter, Doorley dismissively told the officer that she did not care about being stopped for speeding. She called the Webster Police Chief to ask them to leave her alone and refused to step outside her garage to speak with the officers. Despite the officer’s attempts to explain the situation, Doorley showed disrespect and refused to cooperate, even going inside her house against the officer’s orders. She also claimed to know the law better than the officer and identified herself as the District Attorney before calling him an expletive. The footage captured the escalating tension between Doorley and the law enforcement officers.
The President of the New York State Bar Association, Richard C. Lewis, stated that an investigation into Doorley’s conduct by the Attorney General would be appropriate. He emphasized that it is improper for any public official to assume entitlement or use their position for favorable treatment. Doorley did not respond to requests for comment regarding the incident. The scrutiny from both local authorities and legal experts raises serious concerns about Doorley’s behavior as a public official and brings into question her ability to serve as District Attorney. The calls for an investigation reflect a desire for accountability and transparency in upholding the standards of ethics in public office.
The tense exchange between Doorley and the police officer highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in carrying out their duties when confronted by uncooperative individuals, especially those in positions of authority. Doorley’s behavior not only jeopardizes her credibility and integrity but also erodes public trust in the justice system. The demand for an investigation into her actions underscores the importance of holding public officials accountable for their behavior and upholding the values of ethics, accountability, and respect for the law. The outcome of any potential inquiry will have significant implications for Doorley’s career and the perception of the justice system in Monroe County.