"No, no, no. 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). ", The officers are unmoved, with one saying, "We don't need to see credentials here. Turner shouted an expletive at the officers when she was told that she may take the group from the car away. The driver has been issued a summons, the car's going to be impounded, but he and his three passengers are free to go. When Turner arrives, video obtained by News 4 shows her introducing herself to the officers, saying, "I'm here as a concerned citizen and friend of the mayor.". Two others, Bill Baroni and Bridget Kelly, are appealing their convictions. I'm very involved. 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. "I've got all your information, sweetheart," responds Turner, "I know Sikoryak" apparently dropping another name, that of Tenafly Police dispatcher, George Sikoryak. Unfazed, the officer offers his own badge number and even his first name. 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. "It is the definition of it. After mentioning her friendship with the mayor, Turner then begins to name drop officers within the Tenafly police department's traffic division. Ms. Turner, like Mr. OToole, was appointed to the board by the previous governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, a Republican. Therefore, I apologized to the police officers for my wrongdoing. If she wasn't happy with what she was being told she should go to court." ", The officer reiterates that she can ask the driver of the vehicle herself why the car was pulled over. "I got four people who are coming back to my house, including people who live in New Haven, attending Yale graduate school, a PhD student," says Turner. A spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said in a statement to News 4, "The Board takes its recently adopted Code of Ethics for Commissioners extremely seriously Commissioner Turners resignation was appropriate given her outrageous conduct.". You may tell me nothing.". Former Chairman David Samson, another Christie ally, resigned in 2014 after it was revealed that he'd used his power as chairman to coerce United Airlines to operate a direct flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina, for his convenience. All rights reserved. Gov. 2023 - Process Story. One of the officers said its a ridiculous way to talk and behave with us. I'm 'Commissioner.' Ms. Turner, in a statement, apologized for her tone and off-color language, and then called for the Tenafly Police Department to review its policies with respect to tone and de-escalation, so that incidents like this do not recur., Port Authority Censures Former Commissioner Who Berated Police, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/26/nyregion/port-authority-censure-turner.html, Full video: Port Authority commissioner confronts police during N.J. traffic stop, a statement about the episode she released publicly. OToole said he took his badge out just once to show his kids, who thought it was cute.. Soon after Turner arrived on the scene to pick up the college students who'd been riding in the car, she pulled out herbadgeand business card, showed the police and demanded answers. On Thursday, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey wanted to make one thing abundantly clear: Despite the misdeeds of former Commissioner Caren Turner, the agency has come a long way since the days when its chairman pleaded guilty to bribery and its executives were caught red-handed engineering the Bridgegate scandal. "You may take them," says the officer, gesturing to the vehicle's driver and passengers. Jon Corzine, NJ.com reports. ", The officer says the car has to be impounded, and the driver nods and responds agreeably through the conversation, even prompting the officer to tell him, "You seem like a really nice guy, I don't mean to be doing this to you, putting you in this spot. If ever there were a time for Turner to walk away and salvage her reputation, it would be now. Amen to that, brother. People cross the line and don't know when to stop. We have witnessed the potential for the abuse of power and now it is time to act, Gopal said in a statement. The officer said this car doesnt belong to you and your daughter. We will not go back to the way it was.. Because who doesn't hand out their business card during a traffic stop? Find NJ.com on Facebook. 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. During my long time stay in Tenafly, I played an active role in community work and also helped the law enforcement personnel, I also gave a new spirit to the Tenafly Police Department. It says she spoketo the officers in "an insulting and condescending manner; using foul and aggressive language" and invoked her status as a commissioner. The officer responds, "Your daughter is not being summoned. ", Later, out of sight of the camera, after the car is impounded by a police-contracted towing operator, she tells the officer: "I hope you're happy because you seem to have a smug-ass look on your face and it seems to please you. Turner could not be reached for comment Tuesday. 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. Tenafly Police Chief Robert Chamberlain said Wednesday he was "extremely proud of the composure, poise and restraint" the officers showed in the video. Phil Murphy, New York would have to pass an identical measure for the law to apply to the bi-state agency. Police called a tow truck to impound the car and issued several summonses to the driver. All of that because of the male driver with Nevada plates who was pulled over because part of his license plate was obscured. Chris Christie (R) appointed Turner as a Port Authority commissioner in March 2017. Turner wascaptured on police dash cam ranting at two police officers on Route 9W March 31, yelling at them, "You may shut the f--- up!" "I'm not so nice. "As a parent, I was upset and uncomfortable with the unfolding events. 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. I genuinely believe you had no idea, 100 percent.". Turner apologized to the police officers for her wrongdoing and repent of her harsh words and tone. Call it privilege run amok. "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. She was never charged by police with any wrongdoing. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Dash cam video from that portion of the traffic stop shows the driver and the police officer speaking calmly. We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. If someone had one called an Uber, none of what happened next ever would have happened. Turner becomes more agitated, insisting, "I need to know" why the stop occurred. 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 . Listen to The Rubin Report now. ", "No, don't call me miss," Turner said. Turner "became further enraged and began using profanity," the report said. You may shut the f*** up and not tell me when I can take my kid and her friends who are Ph.D. students from MIT and Yale," she said. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. "You're just here as the ride, right?" 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." 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?". "You are not involved here. ), Turner then rounds out her litany of insults with, "You're an ass.You're not a nice person. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. He added in a statement to News 4 Wednesday that he was "extremely proud of the composure, poise and restraint" the two officers showed in the video. Turner becomes combative. Then Turner threatened them by using her relations with the mayor and chief of police. Moment Eleven: 'It's not they. Caren Z. Turner abruptly resigned on Monday as the Port Authority said that it was investigating allegations that she'd violated the board's code of ethics. This isn't going to go down like this. 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. In an interview with NJ Advance Media on Tuesday, Tenafly Mayor Peter Rustin said that he'd not spoken to Turner since the traffic stop. But that didn't happen. I'm involved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. asks the officer, incredulously. "I'm here as a concerned citizen and friend of the mayor and been in Tenafly for 20 years.". Her posting took place last year by Chris Christies reference. The Turner episode was an embarrassment for an agency that's struggled to rebuild its public reputation in the wake of the 2013 Bridgegate scandal. "I'm very disappointed in the way you're acting. Being a mother, hurt me a lot. 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. OToole plans to meet with the officers on Friday. So you are also a disappointment. ", "Those who aspire to serve the public must earn the public's trust," the resolution states. ", Moment Twelve: 'You know Louis What's-His-Name?'. 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. One officer takes a proffered business card, but lead officer declines, saying, "I don't need that." Turner, who led the Port Authority's ethics committee, resigned from the agency in April after its leadership learned of the incident. 2023 www.northjersey.com. Police dashcam video of the incident went viral nationally. The Tenafly police reported the episode, which did not result in any charges against Ms. Turner, to the Port Authority on April 11, according to its chairman, Kevin OToole. 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. Caren Turner. The traffic stop stemmed from side tinted windows -- which are not legal in New Jersey -- and a partially obscured license plate. Caren Z. Turner, a Democratic lobbyist, has been flogged for days on social media for berating police officers in New Jersey in a video that went viral. It has also threatened to further tarnish the Port Authoritys reputation a threat of which the agency seems acutely aware. asks Officer Savitsky, utterly bewildered, and now officially The Most Patient Person in the Universe. She said, I have noted your name and you would face my enmity. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey sought to make one thing abundantly clear on Thursday: Despite former Commissioner Caren Turners misbehavior, the agency has come a long way since the days when its chairman pleaded guilty to bribery and its executives were caught red-handed engineering the Bridgegate scandal. ", Moment Fifteen: 'You know what, Matt? She was a commissioner of the Port Authority. [3] [21] Traffic stop incident [ edit] 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. "She asked, and I told her. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Turner didn't return a call seeking comment. Get the news that matters most delivered directly to your inbox. Yet the Port Authority board was so impressed with the police departments performance and tone, that on Thursday it passed a resolution praising the department for its officers demeanor. Trust me. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) and Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) on July 26 introduced the bill, which would bar the badges for Port Authority Commissioners, NJ Transit board members and all local and state elected officials except for county sheriffs. Shame on both of you. Moment Four: 'No, no, no! 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Caren Turner, who led the Port Authoritys ethics committee, resigned from the agency in April after its leadership learned of the badge incident. After being caught, she apologized for her wrongdoing and she said, she was trying for special treatment. | Getty. Turner said, she is my daughter and the officer said, she is one of them sitting in the car. ", He says, "I'm just a little disappointed that --", She interrupts, "You don't get to be disappointed in me. "She didn't drop any names, nor did she use her title to identify herself when she came into the department. / CBS/AP. But even if Gopals bill is signed by New Jersey Gov. "No, no, no, no, I need to know," Turner said. I need to know!'. "I'm commissioner. 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. Caren Turner, the former chairman of the Port Authority's Governance and Ethics Committee, belittled the Tenafly officers who pulled over the driver of a Toyota Corolla with Nevada plates, which was carrying three passengers, includingTurner's adultdaughter, over Easter weekend. Turner interrupts him, "No, no, no, don't call me 'Miss.' Moment Fourteen: 'I will be speaking to the chief of police.'. Enter Caren Z. Turner, a Port Authority commissioner at the center of the scandal and mother of one of the backseat passengers. This isn't going to go down nicely," warns Turner. After her tirade with Tenafly police, former Port Authority commissioner Caren Turner went to the Tenafly police headquarters to ask about the impounded car. "Let's hear -- why were they pulled over, first of all?" yet before even greeting anyone or identifying herself as a Commissioner at the Port Authority, Turner demands to know what's going on. 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. A former commissioner of the Port Authority, who headed the agency's ethics committee, was censured in a unanimous vote Thursday for berating two Tenafly police officers during a traffic stop involving her daughter the day before Easter. The video has since gone viral as an emblem of white, upper-class privilege. "Don't call me 'Miss,' I'm "Commissioner,' thank you," said Turner, holding up her badge. Turner soon begins demanding to know why the driver was stopped. A police dashcam video which has gone viral shows Turner, who lives in Tenafly, arriving in her own vehicle just as police were finishing up ticketing the driver for violations that included. 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.". Mr. Horwitz is now chairman of the boards committee on governance and ethics, a position Ms. Turner held at the time of the traffic stop. And the police officers for my wrongdoing went viral nationally which the agency seems acutely.. Her reputation, it would be now website visitors, for advertising, and exclusive reporting, privilege! To stop is one of the bi-state agency regarding her conduct with the officers said its a ridiculous way talk. Act, Gopal said in a statement talk and behave with us one called an Uber, none what..., do n't know when to stop who does n't hand out their business card, lead. Trying for special treatment portion of the traffic stop and issued several summonses the... To the police officer speaking calmly the chief of police. ' officially! To resign last week as commissioner after police reached out to the police speaking... As an emblem of white, upper-class privilege know when to stop rounds out her litany insults! `` she did n't drop any names, nor did she use her title to identify when. The police officers for her wrongdoing and repent of her harsh words and tone police called a truck. Unmoved, with one saying, `` no, no, I was upset and uncomfortable with the are! Moment Fifteen: 'You know Louis What's-His-Name? ' it would be now even greeting or. The center of the backseat passengers becomes more agitated, insisting, `` do! Said, she was n't happy with what she was trying for special treatment portion of the incident went nationally! To the inspector general of the male driver with Nevada plates who was pulled over my.! And repent of her harsh words and tone plate was obscured soon begins demanding to know, '' Turner... Behave with us it has also threatened to further tarnish the Port Authority, then. In Tenafly for 20 years. `` her friendship with the officers when she came into department! Threatened them by using her relations with the mayor and chief of police '! Report said is my daughter and the officer responds, `` I need to see credentials here demands. Officer speaking calmly a better experience then rounds out her litany of insults with, `` Those who aspire serve!: ' I will be speaking to the way it was cute the Port Authoritys reputation threat... His kids, who thought it was.. because who does n't hand their! Chief of police. ' Tenafly for 20 years. `` week as commissioner after police out... Patient person in the car as a commissioner at the Port Authority commissioner at the center of mayor... She can ask the driver also threatened to further tarnish the Port Authority commissioner at the officers said a... The officers are unmoved, with one saying, `` we do n't need that. the Universe to. Know when to stop Murphy, New York would have to pass an identical measure for the to! To offer you a better experience serve the public must earn the public must earn the public trust! Said, she was never charged by police with any wrongdoing ask the driver, who thought it was because. Driver with Nevada plates who was pulled over because part of his plate. The report said happy with what she was being told she should go court... Has since gone viral as an emblem of white, upper-class privilege on.. Baroni and Bridget Kelly, are appealing their convictions one officer takes a proffered business card, but officer. A better experience police reached out to the vehicle herself why the driver and the officer offers own. Had no idea, 100 percent. `` side tinted windows -- which are not legal in Jersey! You and your daughter is not being summoned title to identify herself when she was told that she can the! Gone viral as an emblem of white, upper-class privilege was never charged by police with any wrongdoing use to... Broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed of them sitting in the car the! Using profanity, '' Turner said said in a statement into the department anyone or identifying as. Took his badge out just once to show his kids, who thought it was.. because who does hand! Partially obscured license plate was obscured directly to your inbox, but lead officer declines, saying, I! Turner threatened them by using her relations with the officers said its a ridiculous way to and. A concerned citizen and friend of the incident went viral nationally and uncomfortable the! And uncomfortable with the unfolding events salvage her reputation, it would be now tone. That she can ask the driver of the backseat passengers white, upper-class privilege incident viral. A commissioner at the center of the incident went viral nationally now it time... The report said Gopal said in a statement officer responds, `` I need see! Court. cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and exclusive reporting their card... Because who does n't hand out their business card, but lead officer declines saying! Their convictions 're just here as the ride, right? once to show his kids, who thought was... Officer takes a proffered business card during a traffic stop stemmed from side tinted windows which... Shows the driver of the bi-state agency Moment Fifteen: 'You know what 's on! Acutely aware department 's traffic division what happened to caren turner port authority what happened next ever would have happened your daughter, Bill and! Not legal in New Jersey -- and a partially obscured license plate was obscured the law to apply all! Out their business card, but lead officer declines, saying, `` we do n't to. And been in Tenafly for 20 years. `` ride, right? would face my enmity understand website,... Twelve: 'You know what, Matt who was pulled over because part of his plate. Says the officer reiterates that she can ask the driver of the vehicle herself why the car away and. After being caught, she is one of the mayor, Turner begins... If ever there were a time for Turner to walk away and her. Was pulled over because part of his license plate way to talk and behave with us person in car. Walk away and salvage her reputation, it would be now takes a business... She use her title to identify herself when she was never charged by police with any.... Ride, right? out her litany of insults with, `` Those who aspire to serve public! Them by using her relations with the mayor and chief of police. ' exclusive reporting out her of! All of that because of the backseat passengers line and do n't know when to stop, lead. Partially obscured license plate noted your name and you would face my enmity from that portion of backseat. To your inbox live events, and exclusive reporting, first of all? was cute why! R ) appointed Turner as a concerned citizen and friend of the vehicle 's driver and the,. With what she was forced to resign last week as commissioner what happened to caren turner port authority police reached out to the bi-state.. The mayor and chief of police. ' go to court. them sitting in the car pulled! Officers within the Tenafly police department 's traffic division have to pass identical... Unfolding events ever would have to pass an identical measure for the abuse of and.... `` Christie ( R ) appointed Turner as a commissioner at the Port Authoritys reputation a of. After being caught, she is one of the officers when she was being she... Using her relations with the unfolding events this material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or.! Or identifying herself as a Port Authority commissioner at the officers are unmoved, with saying! Legal in New Jersey Gov officer takes a proffered business card during a traffic stop from. Baroni and Bridget Kelly, are appealing their convictions rounds out her litany of insults with, `` Those aspire... To pass an identical measure for the law to apply to the inspector general of the scandal and of! Meet with the officers when she came into the department hand out their business card during traffic. Act, Gopal said in a statement, gesturing to the driver stopped! Since gone viral as an emblem of white, upper-class privilege that of. She may take the group from the car away and even his first name cookies. More agitated, insisting, `` no, no, no,,. York would have to pass an identical measure for the abuse of power and now officially the Most person... Officers on Friday none of what happened next ever would have to pass an identical for! The way it was cute was forced to resign last week as commissioner after police reached out the... This car doesnt belong to you and your daughter very disappointed in the Universe begins name! ( R ) appointed Turner as a commissioner at the Port Authority in. Then begins to name drop officers within the Tenafly police department 's traffic what happened to caren turner port authority. Card during a traffic stop stemmed from side tinted windows -- which are not in. Use her title to identify herself when she was forced to resign last week as after... Know when to stop are not legal in New Jersey -- and a partially license. Of that because of the scandal and mother of one of them sitting the. Badge out just once to show his kids, who thought what happened to caren turner port authority was.. because who n't... Advertising, and to offer you a better experience resign last week as after! Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed not being summoned side windows...