ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Republican leaders in Monroe County announced they will continue to support District Attorney Sandra Doorley following her traffic stop incident.
In a statement sent to News 8, Republican Conference Leader Steve Brew says they will not allow Doorley’s decades of work to be overshadowed by “a moment of clearly expressed regret.” Furthermore, they said that members of law enforcement should be treated with respect regardless of circumstance.
“If Democrats in this County were as outspoken about carjackings, robberies, and murders as they are now about a traffic stop, perhaps we’d all be in a better and safer place,” Brew said in his statement.
Patrick Reilly, the republican chairman, also points to Doorley’s work and reminds the community of her apology and that she took responsibility for her actions.
“In perspective, I have also watched several decades of our District Attorney fighting for victims, safeguarding our community, standing beside and for our members of law enforcement, and defending the rule of law — even at times when she was only one,” Reilly said in a statement.
On Thursday, The Monroe County District Attorney released a statement saying she received a traffic ticket for going 55 m.p.h, pleaded guilty, and sent the ticket to Webster Town Court. In the statement, she said she had no intention of using her position for her benefit.
The next day, body cam footage was released depicting Doorley refusing the commands of a Webster police officer while on the phone with the Webster Chief of Police. This happened after Doorley refused to pull over and continued to her home.
Doorley released a video Monday morning apologizing for her actions , referring the matter to another district attorney in a different county, and self-reporting herself to the grievance committee.
Democrat lawmakers, such as Harry Bronson and Senator Samra Brouk, called her actions in the video “completely unethical” and said Doorley needs to be held accountable for her actions. Governor Hochul has referred her to the Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct.
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Full Statement from Republican Conference Leader Steve Brew
“The Webster police department did their job full-stop; we thank them for their service on this and every day and reiterate that all members of law enforcement must be treated with respect regardless of circumstance.
We will not allow a moment of clearly expressed regret to overshadow decades of dedication to our community, law, enforcement, and the rule of law — the Republican Conference continues to support our District Attorney Sandra Doorley.
We welcome Democrats’ newfound support for our members of law enforcement and hope it will continue into the future. If Democrats in this County were as outspoken about carjackings, robberies, and murders as they are now about a traffic stop, perhaps we’d all be in a better and safer place.”
Full Statement from Republican Chairman Patrick Reilly
“I have reviewed the several minutes of body-worn camera footage of the traffic stop involving District Attorney Sandra Doorley, which she has taken responsibility for, paid her ticket for, and wholeheartedly apologized for. In perspective, I have also watched several decades of our District Attorney fighting for victims, safeguarding our community, standing beside and for our members of law enforcement, and defending the rule of law – even at times when she was only one. Democrats who now pretend to care about law enforcement, including some who have been criminally investigated themselves, have no credibility to speak on this matter. Let’s not pretend the same party that allows their constituents to be shot, robbed, and murdered on a daily basis cares about the rule of the law in this County. Nobody is perfect, and everyone has a bad day – District Attorney Doorley has atoned, should not, and will not be going anywhere, and the Monroe County Republican Party continues to fully stand behind her and her office’s mission.”
Full Statement from NYSACOP
“We are disappointed in the behavior of Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley. Elected officials should be aware that they are not above the law. Doorley’s behavior on the traffic stop is simply unacceptable. We also know that a person’s character cannot be judged solely by one event. Doorley has been an outstanding District Attorney and we hope that she will continue to serve the public and the interests of public safety.”
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