Doorley’s Controversial Traffic Stop Leads to Investigation and Apology

Rekindling controversy surrounding Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley’s conduct during a traffic stop on April 22, 2024, recently released body camera footage depicts the DA swearing at and defying instructions given to her by an officer. As highlighted in the video obtained via Freedom of Information Act requests made to local news outlets WXXI and others, Doorley was pulled over for driving 55 mph on a road with a speed limit of 35 mph before being followed approximately half a mile back to her home where she parked inside her garage. In the footage obtained by these media organizations, an officer can be seen approaching Doorley’s residence and requesting that she cooperate; however, Doorley refuses his requests until eventually calling Webster Police Chief Dennis Kohlmeier in order to ask him to intervene on her behalf. As tensions escalated between the DA and law enforcement officials involved with the incident, New York Governor Kathy Hochul subsequently initiated a state-wide investigation into the matter whilst referring Doorley to the Commission for Prosecutorial Conduct “following release of police bodycam footage showing her claiming she is above the law…undermined (her) ability to hold others accountable”. According to Gov.Hochul, Doorley’s behavior during this incident was in contravention with her responsibility as a District Attorney and had potentially compromised her professionalism moving forward; “We are deeply grateful for men and women of law enforcement who put on a uniform each day to protect the safety of all New Yorkers.” In response to these allegations, Doorley admitted that she was not paying attention when driving at excessive speeds along Phillips Road in Webster. She subsequently pleaded guilty via mail and sent her ticket back to court for processing; “By 1:00 p.m. The following day, I pled guilty and sent the ticket to the Webster Town Court because I believe in accepting responsibility for my actions”. In a video apology released on Monday (May 2), Doorley acknowledged that she was wrong during this incident and apologized both to the officer involved as well as her community. She also promised to take ethics training “to remind myself that professionalism matters” moving forward; “Police already have a tough job, and I made his job harder”.