Sandra Doorley, the district attorney of Monroe County in New York, recently issued a public apology after a traffic stop involving her was recorded by a police bodycam.
Doorley has been serving as the district attorney for twelve years, having been elected in 2011, making her the first woman to hold the position in Monroe County. Although initially elected as a Democrat, she later changed her party affiliation to Republican in 2015 and has since been reelected for her second, third, and fourth terms.
The incident in question took place on April 22, 2024, when Doorley was pulled over for speeding by a police officer. The bodycam footage captured Doorley berating the officer in her garage after being informed of her violation. The exchange lasted 26 minutes, during which Doorley expressed her frustration and stated, “If you give me a traffic ticket, that’s fine. I’m the one that prosecutes it. Go ahead.” Ultimately, she was issued a speeding ticket by the officer, who then apologized for the situation.
Following the release of the bodycam footage, members of the Monroe County community expressed outrage, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned Doorley’s actions, emphasizing the importance of ethical standards for district attorneys. In response to the backlash, Doorley released an apology video on April 29, 2024, acknowledging her failure to meet the standards she holds herself to. She cited the stress of ongoing murder investigations and her husband’s health concerns as factors contributing to her behavior during the traffic stop.
Doorley expressed regret for not showing the officer the respect he deserved and admitted to pleading guilty to the speeding ticket. She also disclosed that she had referred the case to another district attorney’s office for review.
The incident has sparked discussions about the conduct of public officials and the treatment of law enforcement officers, highlighting the importance of upholding ethical standards and mutual respect within the criminal justice system.
