‘You’re supposed to do what they tell you to do’: Residents, officials reacting to video of DA’s interaction with officer
MONROE COUNTY, N.Y. — Questions are swirling after the release of police body-worn video footage showing Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley arguing with a Webster Police officer over a speeding ticket at her home after allegedly refusing to pull over on Monday.
Some want Doorley to address the issue; others want the state to take action.
“If I did something like that, I would have gotten pushed down under the bus and run over,” said John Monroe, a lifelong resident of Rochester.
Webster Police tried to pull Doorley over on Phillips Road on Monday, April 22, for speeding. Instead of stopping, Doorley called Chief Dennis Kohlmeier to say she would talk to officers at her house. At the house, she called the chief a second time, asking him to tell officers to “leave her alone.” You can see the full body-worn camera video here.
Doorley released a video on Monday morning apologizing for arguing with the officer. “I’ve been humbled by my own stupidity and I’m fully to blame. I will make this right. I ask for your forgiveness,” she said in the video. You can watch the video here.
Rochester City Council members are now calling for New York State Attorney General Letitia James to investigate Doorley’s behavior. In a letter sent to the Attorney General’s Office Saturday morning, all nine City Council members say they are united in their call for an investigation into what happened and “accountability in this matter would demonstrate that no one, regardless of their position, is above the law.”
That sentiment is shared by some of the people News10NBC spoke with today — like John Monroe, who says he has lived in Monroe County his whole life and never would have been treated the way Doorley was if he didn’t stop immediately for a police officer.
“You’re supposed to do what they tell you to do — step behind your vehicle. Not go to your house. It doesn’t work like that,” Monroe said.
He also said, “You can’t think that just because you a district attorney and you are supposed to be higher than other people — you can’t work like that.”
For Monroe, it’s about accountability and fairness.
“You gotta face the penalty. If you’re supposed to be taking care of, take care of your business — be an example,” he said.
Alia Cross was shocked when she first heard about the video, but not surprised.
“My reaction is that she is very entitled and somebody that is abusing their power,” Cross said.
Officials are reacting to the body camera video, too.
Rochester City Councilmember Mary Lupien says she is glad all nine councilmembers signed onto the letter Saturday morning asking the Attorney General to investigate Doorley’s conduct — and is calling for her immediate resignation.
“I was pretty shocked at the entitlement I saw the DA showing, the disregard for the law,” Lupien said.
She added: “Are there other cases that she felt like someone else was above the law – you know, like members of law enforcement?”
Lupien says she wants there to be a full investigation of the traffic stop and a look into Doorley’s record.
In a statement, Monroe County Democratic Committee Chairman Stephen DeVay said: “Sandra Doorley’s behavior during a routine traffic stop is the latest example of law-and-order Republicans nationwide and in Monroe County demonstrating they think the law doesn’t apply to them.
“I call on Sandra to honor her initial statement — ‘Nobody, including your district attorney, is above the rule of law’ — by issuing an apology to the community she serves and a plan to do better moving forward. I also urge her to give careful consideration to whether she is still able to stand by her commitment to public safety and to upholding our laws as she was elected to do.”
On X, Monroe County Republican Party Chair Patrick Reilly said he fully supports Doorley.
Some Monroe County legislators have begun to weigh in as well — including Assistant Majority Leader Albert Blankley, a Democrat, who encouraged an investigation by the county Office of Public Integrity. He also encouraged an investigation by the state Attorney General’s Office.
Blankley’s statement reads in part: “The body worn camera (BWC) footage of a traffic stop involving Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley and her subsequent actions raise significant ethicaland legal concerns. Her stated disregard for the rule of law, disrespect of and attempts to evade the officer, and the release of a misleading and factually incorrect statement following the incident deserve investigation by the Monroe County Office of Public Integrity (OPI) under its duty to investigate ‘Obstructing, resisting against or tampering with a public servant’ as well as any other actions that office deems appropriate.”
Five other county legislators, all Democrats, also issued a statement Saturday requesting Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General James investigate Doorley’s behavior, and also requested the county OPI and ethics board look into it.
The statement — from legislators Ricky Frazier, William Burgess, Lystra Batholomew McCoy, Santos Cruz and Rose Bonnick — reads in part: “As elected officials, we are not above the law and should be held to a higher standard. Average citizens need to know that elected officials are held accountable as would any other person. This type of behavior is disturbing and requires the fullest scrutiny and disciplinary action. Incidents like this shed light on the inequities of our criminal justice system. This behavior is an unfortunate display of privilege and should not be swept under the rug.”
In her own statement, legislator Rachel Barnhart, also a Democrat, said that only the governor has the authority under the state constitution to initiate an investigation that can lead to removal. She said Webster Police could request another police agency to review the incident.
“This incident is not just about a speeding ticket. It’s about abuse of power and double standards, particularly for Black and Brown motorists,” Barnhart stated, adding, “… No matter what, Doorley should face cameras, take hard questions, apologize, and address the deep inequities in our criminal justice system.”
The county legislators who have issued statements are all Democrats. News10NBC has reached out to a number of Republican legislators as well.
The District Attorney’s Office has not responded to interview requests or released a new statement since the release of the body-cam video Friday, but Doorley’s Twitter and Facebook accounts have been deactivated as of Sunday morning. Webster Police have not returned requests for comment.
The Monroe County Democratic Caucus sent a statement to News10NBC on Sunday, saying in part:
“Public officials are not above the law; they serve the people and must be held responsible for their actions like everyone else. Using a position of power to evade accountability undermines trust in the system and erodes the principles of justice and equality.”
Lynn Mazurkiewicz, the wife of RPD officer Tony Mazurkiewicz who was killed in the line of duty in 2022, released this statement:
“If you have never heard of Sandra Doorley before now, consider yourself lucky. It probably means that your family has never had to endure the agony of a murder trial. But for those of us who have, we know that this woman walks through hell every day to ensure that victims see justice.”
“She fought for our family and I will forever admire and respect her. I am grateful for her care and love during our trial and would pick her every single time! Until you have seen the worst of the worst every single day like she has don’t be so quick to judge. She had a bad day. She is human. This was not her shinning moment. Judge her not for 30 mins of her life- but all the good she has done. I am one person that you will not see rejoicing in her downfall.”
Statements. in full, from assorted Monroe County legislators:
Sunday, members of the Greater Rochester Majority State Delegation released a statement on the matter. Here it is in full:
