Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley is facing scrutiny after a traffic stop in Webster, New York, revealed her confrontational behavior towards a police officer. Governor Kathy Hochul has called for an investigation into the incident after bodycam footage showed Doorley arguing with the officer who had pulled her over for speeding.
The incident occurred on April 22, 2024, when Doorley was caught driving 20 miles over the speed limit. Instead of pulling over immediately, she led the police officer on a brief pursuit to her home. The bodycam footage, released under a Freedom of Information Act request, captures a tense exchange in Doorley’s garage, where she parked her car.
During the interaction, Doorley called Police Chief Dennis Kohlmeier, asking him to intervene and request the officer to leave her alone. Her remarks included dismissive comments such as, “I don’t really care,” and “Just go ahead and do it,” when discussing the possibility of receiving a ticket. She also stated, “Do you know what I’ve been dealing with all day? Three murders in the city. And do you think I really care if I was going 20 miles over the speed limit?”
Doorley’s response to the officer’s request to step outside was met with further defiance as she remained in her garage, at one point calling the officer an “a–hole” and demanding he leave her property. The officer explained that he was simply following procedures by waiting for a supervisor as instructed by his chief.
Governor Hochul, in referring Doorley to the Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct, criticized the district attorney for claiming she was above the law and undermining her ability to hold others accountable. The Rochester City Council also expressed concerns about Doorley’s fitness to serve as District Attorney, prompting them to seek further investigation.
In her statement, Doorley acknowledged her speeding and accepted the ticket, emphasizing her belief in taking responsibility for her actions. She described the event as a moment of lapse while driving home after a busy day at work and stressed her long-standing commitment to public safety and law enforcement in Monroe County.