Monroe County Office of Public Integrity: District Attorney Sandra Doorley violated code of ethics

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The Monroe County Office of Public Integrity released its report on its investigation into District Attorney Sandra Doorley’s April traffic stop Monday.

Doorley drove home and called the Webster police chief when officers tried to pull her over for speeding on April 22. Police body camera footage of the incident shows Doorley repeatedly invoking her position as district attorney and refusing to follow orders, at one point telling police, “I’m going to prosecute myself. Do you know what I’ll do with the ticket,” then laughing.

Doorley initially claimed she called Webster Police Chief Dennis Kohlmeier, “to inform him that I was not a threat and that I would speak to the Officer at my house down the street.” According to the report, however, Kohlmeier told investigators she actually said “tell your [expletive] officer to stop following me.”

“Chief Kohlmeier was confused by the request,” the report states.

The OPI’s investigation ultimately determined Doorley violated the Monroe County Code of Ethics in the following ways:

• Rules and regulations for county vehicles
  • The investigation determined Doorley failed to drive “safely or properly” as instructed by the code of conduct when she drove 20 miles per hour over the speed limit, “a fact not disputed by DA Doorley.”
  • The investigation determined Doorley’s refusal to pull over her car when instructed, instead driving home and parking in her garage, violated the “proper and courteous” sections of the regulations.
  • The investigation determined Doorley’s behavior toward the officer on scene, whom she called an expletive, violated the “courteous manner” requirement of the regulations.
  • The investigation determined Doorley did not follow the vehicle and traffic laws of New York State.
  • The investigation determined Doorley failed to report the incident to the county fleet manager.

“There is no lens to view the BWC footage through that defends DA Doorley’s behavior,” the report states. It determined Doorley’s behavior that day was “rude at best, and more accurately described as abusive.”

The report goes on to state:

Repeatedly calling the Webster Chief of Police, the Officers boss, cannot be viewed as anything but an attempt to “secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions for himself”. DA Doorley’s request of Chief Kohlmeier to “just tell him to leave me alone” is clear evidence of intent to “secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions for himself”.

Repeated statements by DA Doorley claiming she would be “prosecuting myself” would “raise suspicion among the public that he is likely to be engaged in acts that are in violation of his trust.” Lawyer and Judge recusals from any type of court case are common when there is any relationship that may even give the appearance of bias, favor or impropriety. This is done to give confidence to the public that laws are being adjudicated fairly and evenly. A suggestion that someone will be able to prosecute themselves is contrary to publicly held precepts of confidence and fairness in the legal process. As the top law enforcement officer in the County, DA Doorley’s refusal to submit to lawful commands and determination to make her own decision to drive home rather than stop places serious stress on any law enforcement officer. This type of display could encourage the public to take the same liberties thereby endangering other law enforcement officers.

Monroe County Office of Public Integrity Investigative Report

The OPI has referred Doorley’s violations to the Monroe County Board of Ethics for action, saying “Monroe County should cooperate with other state agencies who have jurisdiction and are investigating this matter.”

That list includes the New York State Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct , the New York State Attorney Grievance Committee, and Monroe County Executive Adam Bello.

The full report can be found below. The sections of the rules and regulations for county vehicles the OPI determined Doorley violated can be found on page 18.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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