Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley released a video apologizing for her behavior and interaction with a police officer during a traffic stop last week.
Doorley cited “work stress” and a “frightening medical concern” of her husband as the impetus for her behavior.
“Last Monday, I failed you and the standards that I hold myself to, and for that, I am so sorry,” Doorley said in her opening remarks in the video. “What I did was wrong, no excuses. I take full responsibility for my actions. I fell short of the values I’ve held for my entire 33-year career. I didn’t treat this officer with the respect he deserved. All police officers deserve respect. I am truly and sincerely sorry.”
“I had just come from work. I was dealing with three homicides that occurred over the weekend,” Doorley said. “I watched a video where an innocent cab driver was executed. And I was still reeling from a frightening medical concern my husband received that afternoon. But we all have bad days and stress, and it was wrong for me to take it out on an officer who was simply doing his job.”
The video comes after Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) announced she was calling for an investigation into Doorley and referred her to the New York State Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct. Hochul further scolded Doorley and said she acted in a “contravention of her responsibility” and “undermined her ability to hold others accountable for violating the law.”
“District Attorneys are responsible for prosecuting criminal and traffic offenses and must perform their duties with the highest ethical standards,” Hochul said in the statement. “Earlier today, I referred the Monroe County District Attorney to the Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct following the release of police body cam 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.”
“In doing so, she was acting in contravention of her responsibility as a District Attorney and undermined her ability to hold others accountable for violating the law,” Hochul said. “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.”
It remains to be seen as to what, if any, punishment Doorley will receive. However, in her video, she stated that she would be disciplining herself and vowed to “make this right.”
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“If one of my assistant district attorneys had acted this way, I would’ve disciplined them,” Doorley said. “So I’m disciplining myself. I will take ethics training to remind myself that professionalism matters. I’ve been humbled by my own stupidity, and I am fully to blame. I will make this right.”
“While I previously apologized to him, I will say it again, I’m sorry.”
