After being caught, she apologized for her wrongdoing and she . Moment Nine: 'I will be in with the police commissioner'. Ms. Turner had abruptly resigned from her Port Authority seat last week after the video surfaced, making the public censure largely symbolic. There is an elevated level of authority associated with these badges, Gopal said. Turner was appointed to the Port Authority last year by then-Gov. One of the officers called Turner "miss," and she quickly reprimanded him and instructed him to address her as "commissioner.". Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. "I know Louis, what's his name? The man who inadvertently found himself in the midst of a now viral rant against police by a recently resigned Port Authority commissioner late last month tells News 4 he tried his best to stay out of it because "my only job was to tow the car." But she added: "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. Turner does not relent, however, and presses him: "I just want to know why.". As a crime of the second degree, official misconduct carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison without parole, and carries a maximum of ten years. For more information about our use of cookies, our collection, use, and disclosure of personal information generally, and any rights you may have to access, delete, or opt out of the sale of your personal information, please view our, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Upon learning of the incident from the Tenafly Police Department, the Port Authoritys inspector general launched an investigation, OToole said. After Turner's daughter called mom for a ride home, things took a major turn for the crazy. And whenthe Tenafly police released a dashcam video of the traffic stop on Tuesday, well, the world united in shared outrage over the alternately appalling, obnoxious and plainly inexplicablebehavior of now ex-Commissioner Caren Turner. For those who missed the controversy, Caren Turner, a former Port Authority commissioner, made headlines when dashcam video emerged of her interaction with two Tenafly police officers who. Finally, she begins to berate the officers. ', Less than a minute into the Tenafly Police dashcam video, the police officer is heard saying, "Alright, so you guys are all set.". The Tenafly Police Department released the video Tuesday showing Caren Turner attempting to pull rank on the officers. "The video evidence is, simply, deeply disturbing," the resolution reads. It has also threatened to further tarnish the Port Authoritys reputation a threat of which the agency seems acutely aware. Instead one of the passengers called her mom. That's pathetic. The officers, who maintained their composure and spoke respectfully to Turner, would not share the details of the traffic stop with the woman because they said the driver and Turner's daughterwere over the age of 18. Caren Turner, who is a Port Authority commissioner refused of wrongdoing by crying. Get the news that matters most delivered directly to your inbox. "She" is Caren Z. Turner, who abruptly resigned on Monday as the Port Authority said that it was investigating allegations that she'd violated the board's code of ethics. Police dash cam video shows. ", Under New Jerseys Official Misconduct statute, "a public servant is guilty of official misconduct when, with purpose to obtain a benefit for himself or another" he (or she) "commits an act relating to his (or her) office but constituting an unauthorized exercise of his official functions, knowing that such act is unauthorized or s/he is committing such act in an unauthorized manner.". Turner asks, apparently referring to Tenafly police traffic officer Louis Smaragdakis. A now-viral video captured by police on March 31shows Caren Turner identifying herself as a commissioner and aggressively challenging the officers, even telling them "you may shut the f--- up. "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," she said. As the officer examines the gold shield, Turner, wearing a plum colored, hooded vest, lowers her voice somewhat and answers, "I am a . 04/26/2018 04:50 PM EDT. ", As she continues to complain, the officer suggests they move the conversation to another location because they were on a high-speed road. Turner was appointed to the Port Authority last year by former Republican New Jersey Gov. Shame on both of you. In March 2017, Turner began a six-year unpaid term on the Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, [3] [20] after New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg recommended her, Governor Chris Christie nominated her, and the New Jersey State Senate approved. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. But even if Gopals bill is signed by New Jersey Gov. Things now get heated, as Turner threatens to go over their heads to their boss. Turner resigned on April 20, and in their resolution Thursday, the commissioners said they would have asked her to resign had she not done so. Mr. OToole described Ms. Turners behavior as bullying and obstructionist and said that if she had not resigned, the board would have demanded that she do so. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Turner could not be reached for comment Tuesday. The officer tells her, "I just don't appreciate your demeanor. They soon found that the car's registration was expired, and the driver had no insurance card to present, which prompted them to have the vehicle impounded. "I was sitting there watching, I saw the argument continuing and realized it was going to escalate," Don Morgan of Tenafly Auto Collision told News 4. Moment Thirteen: 'You may shut the f--- up.'. It's notthem.". Learn How rich is She in this year and how She spends money? Hudson County Freeholder Bill ODea also used a police-style badge to pull over a driver during a traffic dispute, telling the driver the police work for me, according to The Jersey Journal. Turner says. I'm very involved," she said. OToole plans to meet with the officers on Friday. The resolution commends the officers, stating that they "deserve the admiration of the public for their extraordinary professionalism, and for a job well done. She was never charged by police with any wrongdoing. However, there are only 1,600 officers employed at the Port Authority. and Yale. The censure was a swift and harsh rebuke of Ms. Turner, who interceded in a March 31 traffic stop in Tenafly, N.J. Video released by the police captured Ms. Turner, 60, flashing her Port Authority badge and swearing at officers who had stopped and impounded a car her daughter was riding in. A spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said in a statement to News 4 Tuesday, "The Board takes its recently adopted Code of Ethics for Commissioners extremely seriously Commissioner Turners resignation was appropriate given her outrageous conduct.". All rights reserved (About Us). The board also commended the Tenafly officers, Matthew Savitsky and Tom Casper, for remaining polite, focused and professional while Ms. Turner spoke to them in an insulting and condescending manner and used foul language. Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect, Man captures chaotic shark feeding frenzy off Louisiana coast, Millions of Americans nearing retirement age with no savings. But when the officer explains "there's no problemit's an unregistered vehicle." Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Bridgegate defendants to have their appeals heard following 2016 conviction, Tenafly police report reveals traffic stop was routine until PA commissioner arrived, Tenafly police officers' boss 'very proud' after traffic incident with PA commissioner, Lowry: In Tenafly, a 'cursed' traffic stop rolls up against privilege, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. ", She then accuses Officer Savitsky of enjoying their inconvenience because of "a smug-ass look on your faceand it seems to please you.". Ms. Turner, like Mr. OToole, was appointed to the board by the previous governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, a Republican. The Port Authority, in taking action against Turner, apologized to the police chief in Tenafly and the two patrol officers in the Bergen County community for "the outrageous and abhorrent conduct" of the former, and the "unwelcome attention that followed.". You must understand the nature of our work, you can read out the report about them and let us do our work. "You are not involved here. Because who doesn't hand out their business card during a traffic stop? "There's a problem with you describing it because you don't feel confident why these people are being pulled over," Turner says. We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. In a new video provided by police, Turner is shown in the lobby of police headquarters following the March 31 incident on busy Route 9W in Tenafly. Turner could not be reached for comment Tuesday. The traffic stop stemmed from side tinted windows -- which are not legal in New Jersey -- and a partially obscured license plate. Turner "became further enraged and began using profanity," the report said. asks the officer, incredulously. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If ever there were a time for Turner to walk away and salvage her reputation, it would be now. 2023 www.northjersey.com. TENAFLY, New Jersey (WABC) -- A commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has resigned after video surfaced of her conduct at a police stop involving her daughter in New. "I'm very disappointed in the way you're acting. Unethical and even criminal wrongdoing by past Port Authority leaders has badly damaged the agencys reputation, said Kevin OToole, the bi-state agencys new chairman, reading from a resolution that ultimately won unanimous board approval. How are you involved? Caren Turner was born on 4 July, 1957 in American, is a Democratic lobbyist and former commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The woman scolded the officers for inconveniencing her and the four "Ph.D. students" from "Yale and M.I.T." Turner shows them something -- later identified in a police report as a Port Authority gold badge -- and says, "I am the commissioner of the Port Authority, and I am heading up over 4,000 police officers, OK?". "Don't call me 'Miss,' I'm "Commissioner,' thank you," said Turner, holding up her badge. All rights reserved. By Claude Brodesser-Akner | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. You're picking them up. Thank you. Shame on both of you. I'm very involved," she said. She told about the people pulled out by police from cars and said, one of them is a Ph.D. student while Yale is still a student graduating. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. He said, I dont say anything about your behavior, but you are demanding more than our approach. A Port Authority commissioner has resigned following the release of a video showing her dive into a profanity-laden rant against two police officers in New Jersey. The car is owned by the parents of the driver's girlfriend, who was also in the car, and the officer explains to the driver that the car has been unregistered for two years: "We can't have an unregistered car that's operating on the street. she asks the officers, handing out Port Authority business cards. Moment Ten: 'I was here for your graduation". Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The Port Authority oversees airports, bridges, tunnels and rail facilities across the region. 2023 - Process Story. Turner, a 60-year-old Democratic lobbyist who served as ethics chair of the Port Authority, is seen in the video introducing herself to the officers who pulled over the car, saying, "I'm here as a concerned citizen and friend of the mayor.". Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). What happened? She does not walk away. All rights reserved. Turner, in the statement also encouraged the Tenafly Police Department to review best practices with respect to tone and de-escalation, so that incidents like this do not recur.. "Your daughter was very nice as well," said the officer. We'll go to (Mayor) Rustin.". She asks why they were pulled over, and an officer responds, "The driver has all the information, he'll tell you all you need to know," adding that she wasn't involved in the traffic stop. said Turner, in what has to be the understatement of the encounter. Ms. Turner, like Mr. O'Toole, was appointed to the. All Rights Reserved. All of that because of the male driver with Nevada plates who was pulled over because part of his license plate was obscured. Except it's never a good look to name drop whenyou don't actually know the person's name. Turner does not relent, however, and presses him: "I just want to know why.". Phil Murphy will nominate a replacement for Turner, a Democratic lobbyist from Bergen County. TENAFLY, N.J. -- A Port Authority of New York and New Jersey commissioner who abruptly resigned last week was caught on camera cursing at two police officers during a traffic stop. Turner, in a statement earlier this week, said she had initially gone to the scene of the traffic strop after the officers decided to impound the vehicle her daughter had been riding in with friends. She didn't seem dangerous. "What graduation? 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Her daughter had called Turner to pick her up along with several friends after the car in which they were riding was impounded. The officer said, have a pleasant weekend and she said, same to you. Call it privilege run amok. Chris Christie (R) appointed Turner as a Port Authority commissioner in March 2017. ", In contrast, theresolution states that Turner violated the agency's code of ethics for commissioners "clearly and unambiguously" and "in multiple ways.". This isn't going to go down nicely.'. But one of the passengers was the daughter of Caren Z. Turner, a commissioner at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where she oversaw its ethics panel (until her firing, that is, on Monday). ", "Those who aspire to serve the public must earn the public's trust," the resolution states. ", She later says, "The police have all been in my home, and in my second home, and in my third home in Tenafly.". By signing up to the Blaze News newsletter you agree to receive electronic communications from Blaze Media that may sometimes include advertisements or sponsored content. The Port Authority Board of Commissioners on Thursday voted unanimously to censure Caren Z. Turner, once a prominent fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, and referred the. The tense exchange continues for several minutes. | Getty. Call it the ultimate "Do you know who I am" PR disaster. She told to NJ.com that my daughter was in the car with her three friends when a police officer pulled over the car. after they pulled over a car in which her daughter was a passenger over Easter weekend. Turner, who had been the chair of the Port Authority's ethics committee, was forced to resign as commissioner last week after the police reached out to the bi-state agency's inspector general. She was not the driver, it's not her vehicle, it's not your vehicle. I'm not so nice.'. ", But the officer continues, "You don't seem like a very big police supporter, I don't know. Former Gov. Recently, adopted codes and conduct by commissioners, the board is looking toward them very consciously and arranging a separate committee to review the results of the investigation by the inspector general and is ready to take strict action at Thursdays board meeting. Turner has been fired from her post as a Port Authority commissioner, but her troubles may not end there. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York, said the referral was necessary because Ms. Turner, in a statement about the episode she released publicly, denied that she had violated the Port Authoritys code of ethics or had asked for special treatment. "What does that have to do with anything?" So you are also a disappointment. Port Authority Chairman Kevin O'Toole said the board had sent letters of apology to Tenafly officers Matthew Savitsky and Tom Casper, as well as Chief Robert Chamberlain. Caren Z. Turner, a now-ex-Commissioner for the Port Authority inserted herself into a routine traffic stop involving her daughter, and in the process behaved so obnoxiously towards Tenafly police . He also thanked the Port Authority "for their professionalism and prompt attention to the matter.". A spokesman for Turner declined further comment on Thursday. If she wasn't happy with what she was being told she should go to court." And it's fine. "She" is Caren Z. Turner, who abruptly resigned on Monday as the Port Authority said that it was investigating allegations that she'd violated the board's code of ethics. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey sought to make one thing abundantly clear on Thursday: Despite former Commissioner Caren Turner's misbehavior, the agency . After her tirade with Tenafly police, former Port Authority commissioner Caren Turner went to the Tenafly police headquarters to ask about the impounded car. Moment Sixteen: 'Guess what? Tenafly's longtime mayor, Peter Rustin confirmed on Tuesday that he is a personal friend of Turner. She was forced to resign last week as commissioner after police reached out to the inspector general of the bi-state agency regarding her conduct. I will be talking with the chief of police, and I will be speaking with the mayor, she said. Turner, who led the Port Authority's ethics committee, resigned from the agency in April after its leadership learned of the incident. Herewith, our Zapruder-style, frame-by-dashcam-frame analysis of how things went so wrong, so fast. The officer said in the report that he told her he was under no legal obligation to fill her in on what happened because all the occupants in the car were adults. The video showed her attempting to intervene with police--first by flipping out her Port Authority gold badge and insisting she be addressed as "commissioner," then trying to bully the officers by dropping the names of higher-ups in town, and then ending with a string of profanities. Moment One: 'Alright, you guys are all set. Port Authority commissioner of New York and New Jersey has caught by camera giving an explosive-laden tirade to the police officers during a traffic stop. But Turner did put out a statement on Wednesday the Port Authority board, via its resolution, directly refuted. Turner soon begins demanding to know why the driver was stopped. Poor MIT, how did they get dragged into this mess?