Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley faced backlash after being caught on police bodycam footage berating a cop for pulling her over for speeding near her home in upstate New York. In a videotaped apology released Monday, Doorley blamed her outburst on work stress, citing having dealt with three homicides over the weekend, a disturbing video of an innocent cab driver being executed, and a frightening medical concern regarding her husband. She admitted that it was wrong for her to take her stress out on the officer and apologized for making his job harder.
The prosecutor had initially refused to stop when the cop tried to pull her over, driving home instead and calling the police chief to complain about the pursuing officer. Despite her behavior, Doorley was still issued a traffic ticket and pleaded guilty to the violation. Following the viral spread of the footage, Governor Kathy Hochul referred the DA to a state commission to investigate prosecutors’ conduct, as many called for Doorley’s resignation. Doorley stated that she takes full responsibility for her actions, admitting that she fell short of the values she has upheld during her 33-year career and failed to treat the officer with respect.
Doorley announced that she would be referring the case to a different district attorney’s office for a full review and also committed to disciplinary action against herself. She acknowledged that if one of her assistant district attorneys had acted similarly, she would have disciplined them, and decided to take ethics training to remind herself that professionalism matters. Doorley expressed humility and self-blame for her actions, vowing to make it right and accepting responsibility for her behavior. She emphasized that no one, including a district attorney, is above the rule of law, even in cases of traffic violations.
Despite apologizing and acknowledging her wrong behavior, Doorley explained that there was no intention on her part to use her position to receive special treatment or benefits in the situation. She emphasized the importance of accountability for her actions and reaffirmed her commitment to abiding by the law, emphasizing that professionalism and respect for all individuals, including police officers, are essential. Doorley expressed regret for her actions and admitted that she had been humbled by her own mistakes, leading her to take corrective action and commit to making amends. The district attorney recognized the impact of her behavior on law enforcement and the public and stated her determination to rectify the situation through self-discipline and adherence to ethical standards.
