New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) wants to launch a state investigation into the Monroe County district attorney who failed to pull over for a traffic stop.
A Webster, New York, police officer attempted to pull over Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley who was allegedly driving 55 mph in a 35 mph zone near her home on April 22.
According to Fox News, Doorley, a Republican, allegedly did not stop until she pulled her SUV into her garage even though an officer was behind her with lights and sirens.
The video from the officer, obtained by WXXI through a Freedom of Information Act request, shows Doorley calling Webster Police Chief Dennis Kohlmeier.
“Can you please tell him to leave me alone?” she asked.
She explained to the officer she was on the phone with Kohlmeier when he attempted to pull her over. The officer then mentioned she should not be on the phone while driving.
“You’re not even supposed to be on the phone to begin with,” the officer said.
“I’m hands free. Absolutely. You should know the law,” she said.
“If it is hands free, that’s great. But at the end of the day you were going 55 in a 35. That’s 20 miles over the speed limit,” the officer said.
“That’s fine. 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 asked.
The officer responded, “I’m just doing my job. If you pulled over when you saw my lights, which obviously you did.”
Doorley then was incredulous that he would be pulling her over.
“I thought you were going somewhere else because I thought no one would ever pull a black SUV if you ran my plates,” she said.
At one point, Doorley called the officer an “a–hole,” and told him to “get out of my f—ing house.”
Hochul is referring Doorley to the Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct “following the release of police bodycam footage showing her claiming she is above the law, attempting to use her public office to evade responsibility, and acting unprofessionally towards a police officer simply trying to do his job,” per Fox News.
“District Attorneys are responsible for prosecuting criminal and traffic offenses, and must perform their duties with the highest ethical standards,” Hochul said in a statement.
Hochul said Doorley was “acting in contravention of her responsibility as a District Attorney and undermined her ability to hold others accountable for violating the law. We are deeply grateful to the men and women of law enforcement who put on a uniform each day to protect the safety of all New Yorkers.”
Doorley issued a statement regarding the incident.
“Less than half a mile from my neighborhood, I noticed a Webster Police car behind me. Once I realized that the intention of the car was to pull me over, I called the Webster Police Chief to inform him that I was not a threat and that I would speak to the Officer at my house down the street,” she said. “The Webster Police Officer followed me to my house and issued me a speeding ticket for my speed of 55mph in a 35mph zone.”
“I acknowledged that I was speeding and I accepted the ticket. By 1:00PM the following day, I pled guilty and sent the ticket to the Webster Town Court because I believe in accepting responsibility for my actions and had no intention of using my position to receive a benefit. Nobody, including your District Attorney, is above the rule of law, even traffic laws,” Doorley said.
“Anybody who knows me understands without a doubt that I have dedicated my entire 33 year career to the safety of this community,” she said. “My work to ensure the safety and respect of law enforcement is well proven time and time again. I stand by my work and stand by my commitment to the public safety of Monroe County.”
