District Attorney Sandra Doorley is embroiled in controversy after a traffic stop where she seemingly used her position as Monroe County’s DA to avoid following law enforcement protocols.
In the incident captured on an officer’s body camera, Doorley disregarded the reason for the stop and implied that her legal authority would exempt her from the traffic violation.
The footage shows Doorley driving at 55 mph in a 35 mph zone on Phillips Road one evening.
Rather than pulling over, she continued to her home on Fallen Leaf Terrace, with an officer following with lights and sirens activated.
In the video released by the Town of Webster, Doorley appeared defiant and repeatedly referenced her role as DA during the encounter.
She claimed to have been on a call with Webster Police Chief Dennis Kohlmeier to assure the officer she posed no threat.
However, the footage contradicts this as it shows Doorley using her phone to insist that Kohlmeier persuade the officer to let her go.
Tensions rose when Doorley refused to provide her identification, opting instead to hand over her phone with Kohlmeier on the line.
“Listen, I know the law better than you. Would you just leave? Would you just leave me alone?”
“I don’t really care. I don’t really care. You know what? If you give me a traffic ticket, that’s fine. I’m the one who prosecutes it.”
“I’m going to prosecute myself,” Doorley said. “Do you know what I’ll do with the ticket?” She then laughed.
Police: So why didn’t you just stop like you’re supposed to?
Doorley: Because I didn’t feel like stopping on Philip’s Road.
Police: That’s not your choice.
Doorley: Well, I made it my choice.
Police: Okay. Now you made it a bigger deal than it needed to be.
Doorley: It’s a really bigger deal when people start coming, it becomes a much bigger deal.
Police: Well, you caused that, Sandra. What do you want us to do? Not do our job because it’s you? You broke another law because of that, right? You should know better… That’s an arrestable offense, Sandra. You know this.
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Doorley issued a statement committing to the rule of law and expressing her intention to accept responsibility for her actions.
She claimed to have pled guilty and submitted the ticket to Webster Town Court.
“On Monday, April 22, 2024, I was driving home following a busy day at work. I admit that I was not paying attention to my speed on Phillips Road in the Town of Webster. 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. 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. Anybody who knows me understands without a doubt that I have dedicated my entire 33 year career to the safety of this community. 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.”
Before switching to the GOP in 2015, Doorley was a member of the Democratic Party.
