A district attorney from upstate New York is currently facing scrutiny following a tense encounter captured on police bodycam footage, where she engaged in a heated exchange with an officer who had pulled her over for speeding, resorting to derogatory language and demanding to be left alone.
Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley issued an apology on Monday in response to the incident, which occurred on April 22. Governor Kathy Hochul referred the matter to the State Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct.
In her statement of apology, Doorley acknowledged her wrongdoing without offering any excuses, taking full responsibility for her actions.
The bodycam video, obtained by NBC affiliate WHEC of Rochester, depicted the interaction unfolding as a Webster police officer approached Doorley’s garage, where she had just parked her vehicle.
Identified as Cameron Crisafulli by the Democrat and Chronicle newspaper, the officer questioned Doorley about her failure to pull over when he signaled her to do so with lights and sirens.
Admitting to exceeding the speed limit by driving at 55 mph in a 35 mph zone, Doorley later argued that she did not perceive the officer’s attempt to pull her over, citing the presence of other vehicles on the road. The officer rebutted, stating he had been directly behind her.
Throughout the 26-minute video, Doorley demonstrated a lack of cooperation with the officer’s instructions to remain in front of the garage, opting instead to wander around the premises and attempting to enter her home on one occasion.
Doorley’s demeanor appeared agitated as she repeatedly asserted her position as the DA of Monroe County and demanded to be left alone. When informed of her violation of speeding laws, she dismissed the issue, stating she did not care.
In a bid to address the situation, Doorley attempted to contact Webster Police Chief Dennis Kohlmeier, eventually putting Crisafulli on the phone. Subsequently, Crisafulli requested the presence of a supervisor at the scene.
Upon the supervisor’s arrival and subsequent interaction with Doorley, Crisafulli proceeded to issue her a speeding ticket. In response, Doorley simply nodded and offered a brief apology.
