Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley issued a public apology for her conduct during a traffic stop that went viral. In a pre-recorded video, Doorley took full responsibility for her behavior, admitting that her actions were wrong with no excuses. She cited personal stressors, including three homicides over the weekend, a medical concern with her husband, and having just watched a video of an innocent cab driver being executed, that contributed to her behavior during the traffic stop on April 22. Doorley, a Republican, was driving 55 mph in a 35 mph zone in Webster, New York, and refused to cooperate with the officer who followed her home.
During the exchange, Doorley called the officer an expletive and repeatedly defied his commands to come outside. She even called the Webster Police Chief asking him to tell the officer to leave her alone, stating that if a traffic ticket was issued, she would prosecute it herself. Governor Kathy Hochul called for a state investigation and referred Doorley to the Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct, stating that her actions undermined her ability to hold others accountable for violating the law. Hochul emphasized the need for District Attorneys to perform their duties with the highest ethical standards.
Doorley admitted in a statement that she was not paying attention to her speed and accepted the ticket, pleading guilty the following day and sending the ticket to the Webster Town Court. She stressed that nobody, including herself, is above the rule of law and reiterated her acceptance of responsibility for her actions. In her video apology, Doorley expressed regret for her behavior towards the officer and the impact it may have had on him. She acknowledged that police have a tough job and that her actions only made the officer’s job harder.
Doorley also issued an apology to the community, vowing to make things right. She indicated that she would discipline herself and undergo ethics training to reinforce the importance of professionalism. Doorley recognized her own mistakes and expressed a commitment to correcting them. She lamented her own stupidity and took full blame for the situation, promising to learn from it and improve her conduct moving forward. Doorley acknowledged that despite her role as District Attorney, she was not above the law and needed to be held accountable for her actions.
Overall, the incident involving Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley’s conduct during a traffic stop highlighted the importance of maintaining professionalism and ethical standards, even in challenging circumstances. Doorley’s public apology, acknowledgment of her mistakes, and commitment to self-discipline and improvement are steps towards accountability and integrity in her position. The response from Governor Hochul and the call for investigation underscore the need for public officials, particularly those responsible for upholding the law, to adhere to the highest standards of behavior and conduct. Doorley’s handling of the situation will be closely monitored as she works to rebuild trust with the community and demonstrate a renewed dedication to fulfilling her duties with integrity and responsibility.
