Sandra Doorley timeline: Police chief defends officer who stopped DA in viral video case

A New York official has come under national scrutiny for her behavior toward police during a routine traffic stop, during which she was caught on camera refusing to comply with orders in a now-viral video.

Sandra Doorley, the District Attorney (DA) of Monroe County, New York, was elected in 2011 and has served as the DA since then.

Her name made headlines outside of the upstate New York region following the release of body-worn camera footage showing her refusal to submit to a traffic stop when clocked going 55 mph in a 35 mph zone.

The nearly 30-minute video shows Doorley refusing to pull over for police, leading him instead to her home, and having a heated and contentious exchange with the officer after exiting her car.

In the video, taken April 22, she tells the officer she has called the chief of police to get him to "leave her alone," says "she doesn't care" about her speeding, swears at and insults the officer and tells him she will use her position to throw away the ticket against herself if he does issue it.

Eventually, Doorley accepts the ticket. She pleaded guilty the following day but quickly became the subject of scrutiny later the same week when police released the footage.

A series of statements and apologies, video appearances and calls for professional probes later, Doorley remains in office while te public waits to hear the results of multiple investigations.

Here's everything we know that's happened so far in the Sandra Doorley saga.

Doorley controversy: Sandra Doorley email highlights tensions in DA's Office amid viral confrontation fallout

2011

Doorley is elected District Attorney of Monroe County, New York.

2023

Who is Sandra Doorley: Monroe County DA under fire after her response to traffic stop

Doorley is re-elected after running uncontested.

April 22, 2024

Doorley is clocked driving 55 miles per hour in a 35-mile-per-hour zone, according to Webster, NY police officer Cameron Crisafulli, who then initiates a traffic stop.

Doorley fails to pull over after the officer pulls behind her and turns on his lights. In a later interview, she said she did not realize he was trying to pull her over initially and thought he might be pursuing someone else.

In the bodycam footage taken during the incident, she tells the officer that she did not expect someone to run her plates and still pull her over and repeatedly references speaking with his boss, the police chief.

Once she realizes the officer is attempting to pull her over, Doorley does not stop, instead turning onto her home street and pulling into her driveway. She later said that she felt this to be the best move because her street had less traffic.

She also admitted in later interviews and on the body cam footage to calling Webster Police Chief Dennis Kohlmeier from her car while driving with the officer behind her.

Both Doorley and the officer get out of their cars once in her driveway. In now-viral footage, Doorley can be seen behaving confrontationally, refusing to submit to the stop, calling the officer names and having a heated exchange with Crisafulli who says “I don’t know why you’re acting like this toward me."

At one point, Doorley tells Crisafulli “I’m the DA … I’m the DA of Monroe County," to which he responds "I understand that. But that doesn’t give you the right to go 55 in a 35.”

Crisafulli eventually calls a supervisor to the scene to assist. After a lot of back-and-forth, which includes Doorley telling the officer she will "be prosecuting herself" for the infraction and will therefore just get rid of it anyway, she finally accepts the ticket at the end of the nearly 30-minute video.

Watch Video: DA Sandra Doorley defies police orders in traffic stop

April 23

Doorley pleads guilty to the traffic violation.

The Monroe County Office of Public Integrity also makes a public comment saying that an investigation would begin on Doorley "immediately." Janson McNair, director of the office and chair of the county's Board of Ethics, told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network, that Doorley would be investigated by both entities and results would be shared with the public.

While the county's ethics code does prohibit officials from using or attempting to use their official position to secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions" and violations of this code could result in removal from office, McNair told the D&C that his office does not have the power to execute this, saying only the governor has this capability.

April 25

The D&C confirms the ticket with the DA's office, which releases a statement on behalf of Doorley later that day.

"Less than half a mile from my neighborhood, I noticed a Webster Police car behind me," she said in the statement. "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."

"By 1:00 PM the following day (after the ticketing), 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," the statement continued.

A small group of protestors convene outside the DA's office the same day to demand Doorley's resignation.

April 26

The Webster Police Department releases the body-worn camera footage of responding officer Cameron Crisafulli and other officers to the public in response to a Freedom of Information Law request.

The video quickly picks up steam, eventually amassing millions of views.

April 27

The Rochester City Council writes a letter to the New York State Attorney General Letitia James asking for an inquiry into Doorley.

"Recent body camera footage, shared by the Webster Police Department, has raised significant concerns regarding Ms. Doorley's behavior during a traffic stop in Webster, New York," the letter reads.

"This incident has led us to question her fitness to serve as District Attorney, and we believe an investigation by your office is warranted. The behavior exhibited by Ms. Doorley during the traffic stop, as captured in the body camera footage, appears to violate these standards. Such behavior undermines the credibility and integrity of our justice system and erodes public trust."

April 29

Doorley releases a 30-second video apology. In it, she says in part, "Last Monday I failed you and the standards that I hold myself to," Doorley says at the outset of the 30-second video. "For that I am sorry, What I did was wrong and I take full responsibility."

She also says she will submit an attorney grievance complaint against herself for investigation.

April 30

Doorley grants an exclusive interview to local TV station WHEC-TV. In it, she says she has "no good answer" for why she didn't stop for the police and says she regrets what she did.

She also explains calling the police chief during the attempted traffic stop, saying she wanted to let him know "it was me" and that "I wasn't a threat."

She repeatedly says she "made a mistake" that she "regrets" and while she "doesn't have an answer" for why she did it, she wishes she could "go back" and change how she behaved.

May 2, 2024

Webster Police Chief Dennis Kohlmeier issues a statement for the first time following the incident, backing up his involved officers.

"I am extremely proud of our police department for handling a dynamic event with such professionalism. Our body-worn camera policy is designed to provide transparency; in this situation, it confirms the integrity and character of our officers. I also want to publicly thank Officer Crisafulli for his dedication to his duty and the safety of our community.

Due to pending investigations, it is inappropriate to comment further."

Doorley also has a column published in the D&C in which she again apologizes for an explains her actions. In it, she says that while it is "no excuse," she was stressed that day from dealing with three murder cases and learning of a "frightening medical" issue concerning her husband.

"Last week, I made a mistake. A big one. You already know about my viral video where I disrespected a police officer who was ticketing me for speeding. All officers — including this one — deserve respect. I didn’t give it. That’s why I apologized to him," she writes in the column.

"No one is above the law, which is why I immediately pled guilty, asked for a prosecutor from another county to review the matter, and will refer myself to the Attorney Grievance Committee. I’ll fully cooperate."

At this time, Doorley has not indicated any intentions to step down from her position. Investigations into her behavior are ongoing.

Contributing: Gary Craig, Marcia Greenwood, Kinsey Crowley

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NY DA Sandra Doorley apologizes as police chief supports officers