Hochul Refers Doorley to Commission for Controversial Traffic Stop Conduct

On Sunday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul referred Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley to the New York State Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct following the release of footage that exposed Doorley’s contentious conduct and remarks during a traffic stop in Webster last week. The video provided context for the referral. “I am the DA,” Doorley said in the recording. “I was going 55 coming home from work.” When asked if she had been driving at 55 mph (90 km/h) on a road with a speed limit of 35 mph (60 km/h), Doorley replied, “I don’t really care”. She then called someone and requested that they inform the officer to leave her alone. Rochester City Council wrote a letter requesting New York Attorney General Letitia James start an inquiry into Dooney because it alleges she breached professional standards during the traffic stop due to her actions, which were recorded on bodycam footage. Hochul also heavily criticized Doorley and deemed her behavior unacceptable while accusing her of “claiming that she is above the law”. The governor continued by stating that district attorneys are responsible for prosecuting criminal and traffic offenses and must perform their duties with high moral standards, adding: “Earlier today I referred Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley to the Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct following the release of police bodycam footage showing her claiming she is above the law, attempting to use her public office to evade responsibility, and acting unprofessionally towards a policeman who was simply doing his job.” In response, Doorley admitted fault for her conduct during the traffic stop but pleaded guilty only to speeding in court on Thursday. She claimed that once she realized that the police car intended to pull her over “I called the Webster Police Chief and told him that I’m not a danger [sic], and we talked there,” adding: “[T]he officer at my house down the street”.