Why were Sandra Doorley and Marvin Taylor treated differently?

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On June 23, 2024, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle published two important articles. The articles highlighted the significant differences between the treatment of District Attorney Sandra Doorley, a white woman, with that of Marvin Taylor, a young Black man. Both were stopped for traffic violations. The articles form the impetus for writing this piece.

We, the members of Elders and Allies, a group formed in response to the killing of Daniel Prude and in support of Free the People ROC, have a keen interest in the Doorley/Taylor incidents, in terms of both racism and the lack of accountability theyreveal.

Sandra Doorley disregarded the speed limit as she drove to her home in Webster on the evening of April 22. She ignored police attempts to pull her over and continued to her home. The police met her in her garage where she cursed and berated a young policeman, asserting her position of power and seeming to defend her right to defy the law as the policeman was patiently trying to apply it. Ultimately, he gave her a speeding ticket. The episode was recorded on police cameras, resulting in public outcry and more footage. This time, in a belated effort at damage control, a contrite Doorley explained that she’d had a hard day. She said she would submit to an investigation but would have no further comment.

Months later, where are we? Doorley (who at least should be on administrative leave), is still on the job, investigating and prosecuting others. There is no word on any disciplinary action though her culpability is not in doubt. Demands for her censure faded with the probability that it will be forgotten, like so many errors and crimes committed by people with influence. We cannot accept that outcome. Indeed, does her behavior disqualify her from continuing as a public servant? We require that swift action be taken and communicated to the public.

On May 7, in another part of Monroe County, Marvin Taylor was also involved in a traffic stop that went very differently. The stop was reported to be for minor infractions; a lapsed inspection sticker and failure to use a turn signal. Taylor, near his home, pulled over quickly. Rather than affording Taylor the same degree of courtesy and restraint extended to Doorley, two policemen, one with gun drawn, ordered Taylor to roll down his window and exit the vehicle. When he asked why he was stopped, without giving an answer, police smashed his window and dragged him out to the pavement. He was charged with obstruction of governmental administration. Two tickets for the expired inspection and failure to use a turn signal were issued. No illicit drugs were found. Taylor reported a sprained shoulder from being dragged from his car. Taylor further stated it was not the first time he had been pulled over by police.

Taylor, a 22 year old Black man with no police record, was arrested, fingerprinted, and photographed. And although the incident is “under review,” Taylor said “I’m a Black man in America. This happens every day to somebody.” He expressed concern that he is more vulnerable now that he is “in the system.”

Taylor is right—it happens every day, in Rochester and all over the country. Taylor has fared better than many. On July 1 in Utica, 13 year old Nyah Mway, holding a pellet gun, was chased by three policemen, tackled to the ground, then shot in his chest. He died shortly after arriving at the hospital. It is nine years since 12 year old Tamir Rice was shot dead by Cleveland police who also mistook his toy gun as real. Still it happens again and again. Too often, assumptions and stereotypes escalate into violent confrontation when simple courtesy could defuse a tense situation.

Meanwhile, Sandra Doorley does not have a criminal record; her name not run through the system. A huge disparity exists between the way Black/Brown names are run through the system, revealing the number of encounters with police, even for a traffic stop, in hopes of finding evidence of a crime that would lead to imprisonment, aprocedure known as pretextual stops.

The preliminary report issued by the Empire Justice Center in January of 2023, Stop The Stops, defines pretextual stops as “stopping individuals for a reason that may not be lawful but using a low level traffic or other violation to justify the stop.” The report found that such stops are executed far more often on People of Color, and that, once stopped, Black drivers are more likely to be searched than White drivers.

The report further found that “absent proof of discriminatory intent, a high bar to reach, pretext stops are lawful.” A bill designed to change that failed to progress in the state legislature this year, but will be re-introduced in January. We call on our representatives to back it, blocking this doorway to more mass incarceration of People of Color.

Yes. Policing is hard work and sometimes dangerous, but so too, it turns out, is being policed. Did Daniel Prude deserve to die by asphyxiation for spitting? Did George Floyd need to be suffocated to death because he was slow to cooperate? Did Nyah Mway have todie because he ran in fear of the police?

So often, tragically, our criminal justice system fails us—it is not just, it is criminal. White communities live safely in the protection of “guardian” police, immune or desensitized to the reckless use of power by “warrior” police in communities of Color. Where are the guardian police in those communities?

There must be real police reform with the first step being accountability. The authorities we vote for need to hold police unions accountable. A recent article in the New York Times revealed that even though Mayor Eric Adams campaigned on a platform of transparency and building trust, in the three years he has been in office, police with a documented record of abuse continue to be promoted. Could that be happening in Rochester?

As part of our effort to collaborate with others and ensure racial equity and community safety for all our citizens, Elders and Allies will continue to seek viable solutions to these issues. Bridging our differences is a prickly process with many ups and downs. But without sustained effort, nothing changes. 

Jane Ballard, Rochester
Bill Binet, Rochester
Beverly Brown Brighton
Liz Brown, Rochester
Donna Del Santo, SSJ, Rochester
Anika Flagg, Rochester
Paula Hansen, Rochester
Joyce Herman, Pittsford
Steven Jarose, Pittsford
Padme Livingstone, Penfield
Ruth Marchetti, Penfield
Ellen Nakhnikian, Rochester
Mattie Schmitt, Brighton
Barbara Staroppoli, SSJ, Rochester
Barry Swan, Rochester
Shirley Thompson, Rochester
Bill Wynne, Fairport

The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. Submissions to the Letters page should be sent to [email protected]

One thought on “Why were Sandra Doorley and Marvin Taylor treated differently?

  1. “Why were Sandra Doorley and Marvin Taylor treated differently?”

    COME ON — WE ALL KNOW THE ANSWER — BECAUSE OF HISTORIC AND ONGOING, WIDESPREAD, DEEPLY-ENTRENCHED, PERVASIVE, WHITE-SUPREMACIST-BASED INDIVIDUAL, INSTITUTIONAL AND STRUCTURAL RACISM — PERIOD!!!

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