A Port Authority of New York and New Jersey commissioner caught on camera delivering an expletive-laced tirade to police officers during a traffic stop has apologized and denies she was seeking special treatment.
Caren Turner issued the statement Wednesday, a day after the Tenafly Police Department released the dash-cam video showing her attempting to pull rank on the officers who pulled over a car in which her daughter was a passenger for an expired registration March 31.
The video also shows the Democratic lobbyist and prominent Hillary Clinton fundraiser becoming increasingly agitated with the responding officers and shouting an expletive at them.
In her statement, Turner apologizes for letting her emotions get the best of her and regrets her tone and language directed at the police officers. She resigned her post last week.
Turner was appointed to the Port Authority last year by former Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
Here is Turner’s full statement:
Last month, my daughter and three of her friends were in a car that was pulled over by a Tenafly police officer for non-moving violations, including having tinted windows. The officers subsequently decided to impound the vehicle, leaving the four young adults on the side of a busy highway. Concerned, I hurried to the scene to assist them. As a parent, I was upset and uncomfortable with the unfolding events. I let my emotions get the better of me and regret my tone toward the police officers and use of off-color language. For this, I apologize. However, at no point did I violate the Port Authority’s Code of Ethics or ask for special treatment for anyone involved, nor did I suggest, in any way, that I would use my position at the Port Authority to affect the outcome of the violations issued to the driver. My resignation from the Port Authority is a recognition that this unfortunate incident could and should have been avoided. As a long-time Tenafly resident, I have always taken an active role in the community, including working with law enforcement officials, and I encourage the Tenafly Police Department to review best practices with respect to tone and de-escalation, so that incidents like this do not recur.
(AP)
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3 Responses
What a cheap liar. B”H she resigned. She definitely tried to pull rank, issuing a veiled threat about talking to higher politicians. She is a mechutzaf, and is undeserving of public office. Her parting line boasts her attachment to dishonesty, suggesting the department review their practices. These two officers were incredibly tolerant of this almost insane interference, and are to be commended for their public service.
She tried to use her rank to get her kid out of trouble and blamed the police when it didn’t work. The officers could not have been more kind and accommodating, and SHE is the one who could use training on tone and de-escalation.
man, can you imagine being married to this witch???–or being one of her children??-a fate worse than death.