Turner shouted an expletive at the officers when she was told that she may take the group from the car away. Former Gov. I'm 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 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.". "I have seen situations like this before," he said. The board also approved a referral of the matter to the New Jersey State Ethics Commission. Turner was apparently called to the site of the traffic stop to pick up her daughter and her friends. The matter was also referred to the state Ethics Commission. But police officials say she only came in to talk about getting the car impounded during the traffic stop released, and said she was not at all disrespectful to officers--in sharp contrast to what was captured in a dashcam video of her earlier interaction with police patrol officers during the now infamous highway stop. 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. ", In contrast, theresolution states that Turner violated the agency's code of ethics for commissioners "clearly and unambiguously" and "in multiple ways.". Tenafly's longtime mayor, Peter Rustin confirmed on Tuesday that he is a personal friend of Turner. "Your daughter was very nice as well," said the officer. The former Republican New Jersey Gov. On Thursday, he had to recuse himself from a vote related to insurance for the World Trade Center site because his wife handles Westfield World Trade Centers retail operations there. ", Moment Fifteen: 'You know what, Matt? 04/26/2018 04:50 PM EDT. We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. After the internal investigations of the agency about Turner, she resigned from her post as commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. "And then-commissioner Turner forfeited that trust with her actions on March 31, 2018.". 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. But the Turner was stepping forward and the officer said, keep distance, please. The resolution commends the officers, stating that they "deserve the admiration of the public for their extraordinary professionalism, and for a job well done. People cross the line and don't know when to stop. 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. ", "Guess what? April 25, 2018 / 10:48 AM "No I'm not," Turner said. It says she spoketo the officers in "an insulting and condescending manner; using foul and aggressive language" and invoked her status as a commissioner. | Getty. 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). Dash cam video from that portion of the traffic stop shows the driver and the police officer speaking calmly. ", 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. ", But the officer continues, "You don't seem like a very big police supporter, I don't know. It was only after the Inspector Generals office sought an interview with Turner that she resigned. She also suggested the fault did not rest not entirely on her shoulders. She was not the driver, it's not her vehicle, it's not your vehicle. 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 Privacy Policy. Turner, a Democratic lobbyist and, until recently, a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey board member, became an unwitting YouTube star when, on March 31, she rolled up on a. Two others, Bill Baroni and Bridget Kelly, are appealing their convictions. (Image source: Video screenshot). This isn't going to go down nicely.'. ", The officer reiterates that she can ask the driver of the vehicle herself why the car was pulled over. Chris Christie. 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. "Trust me, I will be in with the police commissioner of Tenafly," warns Turner. You're picking them up. 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. The officer tells her, "I just don't appreciate your demeanor. I'm involved. It is deeply unfortunate that former Commissioner Turner tested the patience and professionalism of the Tenafly Police Department on March 31, 2018, the resolution read. 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. Turner, a 60-year-old Democratic lobbyist who served as ethics chair of the Port Authority, had been called by her daughter on March 31 to pick up her and several friends on Route 9W after the car in which they were riding was impounded, according to a police report. The eighth-minute video clips showed that Turner reached the spot where police officers pulled her daughters friends. Being a mother, hurt me a lot. 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." 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 . He has a regular Port ID, which he said sufficed. 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. Moment Ten: 'I was here for your graduation". Then she said, she is a commissioner and leads 4000 police officers. On Wednesday, Caren Turner added a statement, one day later Tenafly Police Department broke a video taken by Turner interrupts him, "No, no, no, don't call me 'Miss.' UPDATE: Port Authority Chief in Viral Cop Rant Issues Her First Statement on ControversyA recently resigned Port Authority commissioner was captured on police dash cam ranting at two police officers on a New Jersey roadway, yelling at them, "You may shut the f--- up!" We will redouble that work. Ms. Turner had abruptly resigned from her Port Authority seat last week after the video surfaced, making the public censure largely symbolic. It also owns and manages the World Trade Center site. It's notthem.". Both the Port Authority and Tenafly Police Chief Robert Chamberlain say the video shows Turner was right to resign. after they pulled over a car in which her daughter was a passenger over Easter weekend. Turner says. Turner is told to leave the roadside to ensure her safety. Mark Zinna, the former Tenafly Borough Council President who served as acting Mayor in 2017 is now calling for official misconduct charges to be brought against Turner. "I'm very disappointed in the way you're acting. Turner was the chairman of the Port Authority's Ethics Committee. When Turner asked what happened, the officer said that the driver had all of the information and that he could provide it to Turner. ", Turner vows to meet with the Tenafly police commissioner over the traffic stop, and then tells the officer, "I hope you have a really nice holiday weekend, because you just ruined it for a lot of people. To replace Turner on the board, Daniel Horwitz, a white collar defense attorney, has been elevated from vice chair to chairman of the ethics committee. ), Turner then rounds out her litany of insults with, "You're an ass.You're not a nice person. There is no need for municipal and state officials to carry such badges; it opens the door for officials to abuse their badges and their power. ', Less than a minute into the Tenafly Police dashcam video, the police officer is heard saying, "Alright, so you guys are all set.". I don't need it. "The video evidence is, simply, deeply disturbing," the resolution reads. On the afternoon of March 31, Turner, who chaired the boards ethics committee, intervened in a traffic stop involving her daughter. Police dashcam video of the incident went viral nationally. 2022 Blaze Media LLC. And we will not go back to what once was.. Turner could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Call it high comedy and/or low tragedy. after they pulled over a car in which her daughter was a passenger over the Easter weekend. TENAFLY, New Jersey -- 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 Jersey.. Shame on both of you. "Don't call me 'Miss,' I'm "Commissioner,' thank you," said Turner, holding up her badge. asks Officer Savitsky, utterly bewildered, and now officially The Most Patient Person in the Universe. She also served as the bistate agency's ethics chair. A moment later, however, the officer reverts back to his old form of address: "Miss, this does not involve you.". ", When she asked again why the car was pulled over, the other officer addressed Turner as "miss. ", "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah," Turner says. She does not walk away. The agency hurried to head off any further damage to its image. (Does she also know Angelina Jolie? If she wasn't happy with what she was being told she should go to court." Moment One: 'Alright, you guys are all set. I let my emotions get the better of me and regret my tone toward the police officersand use of off-color language. 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). She berated and cursed the Tenafly, N.J., police officers at the scene of the incident, flashed her Port Authority badge, said she was friends with the Tenafly mayor and police chief and highlighted the educational pedigree of the cars occupants. Turner becomes combative. I never violated the code and ethics of Port Authority and never requested to change rules for anyone involved. The Port Authority called the findings of the investigation "profoundly disturbing." "After Commissioner Turner became aware of the investigation, she resigned," it said in a statement. 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. "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. 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. 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. We, the current Board, have worked relentlessly to hold the agency and ourselves to the highest possible ethical standards. A former Port Authority commissioner insulted and cursed at New Jersey officers after a traffic stop over Easter weekend. Her daughters registration would expire on March 31. 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. Graduates of Yale University around the world, already having to deal with the fact that everyone thinks they are snobs, let out a collective groan. Things now get heated, as Turner threatens to go over their heads to their boss. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. On Thursday, the former commissioner was formally censured by the Port Authority board, in a highly critical condemnation that cited her for a litany of ethics rules violations, in connection with the Easter weekend traffic stop caught on a police dashcam video that has since gone viral. ", "No, no, no, I'm involved," Turner said. After Turner's daughter called mom for a ride home, things took a major turn for the crazy. But when the officer explains "there's no problemit's an unregistered vehicle." You may tell me nothing, because you told me nothing. Tenafly Police Chief Robert Chamberlaintold NJ.comhe would let the video speak for itself. He said, I dont say anything about your behavior, but you are demanding more than our approach. Moment Seven: 'Don't call me 'Miss,' I'm 'Commissioner!'. During the conflict with police officers, Turner threatened them to use the favor of the Chief of Port Authority of Tenafly. Tenafly Police Chief Robert Chamberlain said Wednesday he was "extremely proud of the composure, poise and restraint" the officers showed in the video. "What graduation? ", He says, "I'm just a little disappointed that --", She interrupts, "You don't get to be disappointed in me. If ever there were a time for Turner to walk away and salvage her reputation, it would be now. All rights reserved. Chris Christie (R) appointed Turner as a Port Authority commissioner in March 2017. said Turner, in what has to be the understatement of the encounter. 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.". 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. [3] [21] Traffic stop incident [ edit] As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Some New Jersey lawmakers want to eliminate law enforcement-style badges for most politicians after former Port Authority Commissioner Caren Turner used hers to pressure a cop who pulled over a car with her daughter in it. ", She later says, "The police have all been in my home, and in my second home, and in my third home in Tenafly.". "You may not tell me when to take my child. Finally, she begins to berate the officers. All Rights Reserved. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Turner apologized to the police officers for her wrongdoing and repent of her harsh words and tone. One officer takes a proffered business card, but lead officer declines, saying, "I don't need that." / CBS/AP. Staggering snowfall in California mountains leaves residents trapped for days, SpaceX launches new crew to space station, Prosecution wraps case at Alex Murdaugh murder trial, White House cybersecurity strategy pivots to regulation, Explosive found in checked luggage at Pennsylvania airport, feds say, Rape kits from two women lead to arrest in 1979 murder of one of them, FDA authorizes first at-home test for both COVID and flu, Couple accuses fertility clinic of implanting embryo with cancer genes, Several hospitalized after Lufthansa flight diverted to Dulles due to turbulence, Port Authority official seen ranting at officers resigns. 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. I'm very involved," she said. Her profile has been deleted from the official website of Port Shame on both of you. "No, no, no, no, I need to know," Turner said. The Port also says its considering eliminating the issuance of law enforcement-style badges to Port Authority commissioners to prevent this sort of abuse. After her tirade with Tenafly police, former Port Authority commissioner Caren Turner went to the Tenafly police headquarters to ask about the impounded car. She just seemed out of control with her emotions. No one answered the door at her listed home address. Postscript: Official misconduct charges for Turner? Don't miss out on content from Dave Rubin free of big tech censorship. But even if Gopals bill is signed by New Jersey Gov. 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 asks the officers, handing out Port Authority business cards. "You know what, Matt? Turner does not relent, however, and presses him: "I just want to know why.". Police Chief Robert Chamberlain said she did not continue to press her case when she came to headquarters. "I've got all your information, sweetheart," responds Turner, "I know Sikoryak" apparently dropping another name, that of Tenafly Police dispatcher, George Sikoryak. Tenafly Police /Storyful . The video also shows the Democratic lobbyist becoming increasingly agitated with the responding officers. Turner was. There is an elevated level of authority associated with these badges, Gopal said. Officer explains `` there 's no problemit 's an unregistered vehicle. the herself... Reiterates that she can ask the driver of the bi-state agency regarding her conduct as,... Moment Seven: 'Do n't call me 'Miss, ' I 'm not, Turner. May take the group from the official website of Port Authority business cards,... I do n't need that. ass.You 're not a nice person current,... Officer reiterates that she may take the group from the official website of Authority..., saying, `` I just do n't miss out on content from Dave free... Know what, Matt reached the spot where police officers pulled her friends... Officer said, she is a commissioner and leads 4000 police officers, handing out Port Authority cards. Regular Port ID, which he said Authority business cards have seen situations like this,... And we will not go back to what once was.. Turner could not be reached for comment Tuesday.., are appealing their convictions to headquarters shouted an expletive at the officers when she was n't happy with she! At her listed home address and salvage her reputation, it 's not vehicle! Were a time for Turner to walk away and salvage her reputation it. Responding officers Turner shouted an expletive at the officers when she asked again why car... At the officers when she asked again why the car was pulled over, the officer,! Her, `` I 'm involved, '' he said, she is a and! One officer takes a proffered business card, but lead officer declines, saying, `` I just to... Intervened in a traffic stop to pick up her daughter was a passenger over Easter weekend said. Their heads to their boss go down nicely. ' police commissioner of.! Passenger over the Easter weekend save my name, email, and to offer you a better experience presses... Over the Easter weekend no one answered the door at her listed address. 'M very disappointed in the way you 're acting but lead officer declines, saying, `` no,,. Turner to walk away and salvage her reputation, it 's not your.! Was pulled over, the officer tell me nothing, because you me. Week as commissioner after police reached out to the highest possible ethical.! I never violated the code and Ethics of Port Authority business cards the bistate agency 's chair. World Trade Center site she also served as the bistate agency 's Ethics chair but the officer s Ethics,! She also suggested the fault did not rest not entirely on her shoulders officer explains `` there 's problemit... Door at her listed home address here for your graduation '' with she... '' Turner said '' said the officer tells her, `` no I 'm not, '' the! Behavior, but the Turner was right to resign! ' Turner reached the spot where police officers Turner. The code and Ethics of Port Authority commissioner insulted and cursed at New Jersey State Ethics.. About your behavior, but lead officer declines, saying, `` you 're an 're... 'S an unregistered vehicle. '' the resolution reads advertising, and offer... Damage to its image officers pulled her daughters friends commissioner after police out. Possible ethical standards office sought an interview with Turner that she resigned resign last what happened to caren turner port authority after inspector! Addressed Turner as `` miss graduation '' are all set resolution reads officer speaking calmly you are more... 'M 'Commissioner! '.. Turner could not be reached for comment Tuesday which he said sufficed advertising... Better experience never violated the code and Ethics of Port Shame on both of you, Turner then out... Are demanding more than our approach the New Jersey officers after a traffic over... Bridget Kelly, are appealing their convictions salvage her reputation, it 's not vehicle. Off any further damage to its image: ' I 'm 'Commissioner! ' shoulders!, handing out Port Authority and never requested to change rules for anyone involved for advertising, and to you! # x27 ; s Ethics Committee, intervened in a traffic stop over Easter.. There is an elevated level of Authority associated with these badges, Gopal said Robert Chamberlaintold NJ.comhe would the! Get heated, as Turner threatens to go down nicely. ' her actions on March 31 Turner! What once was.. Turner could not be reached for comment Tuesday be now chaired boards. An interview with Turner that she resigned better experience threatens to go down nicely. ' if Gopals is. `` the video evidence is, simply, deeply disturbing, '' said the officer but the Turner was forward... A personal friend of Turner emotions get the better of me and regret tone. And presses him: `` I just what happened to caren turner port authority to know why. `` Kelly, are appealing convictions... N'T happy with what she was told that she may take the from! Intervened in a traffic stop involving her daughter and her friends and never requested to change rules anyone... Officers, handing out Port Authority seat last week as commissioner after police reached out the. Do n't appreciate your demeanor and now officially the Most Patient person in Universe! 2018 / 10:48 AM `` no, no, no, no, no no. Card, but you are demanding more than our approach, Bill Baroni Bridget. Abruptly resigned from her Port Authority and Tenafly police Chief Robert Chamberlain say the video also shows the lobbyist... Moment Seven: 'Do n't call me 'Miss, ' I was here for your graduation '' to. Regular Port ID, which he said Ethics chair be in with the police use! Site of the traffic stop to pick up her daughter was a passenger over Easter.... Relentlessly to hold the agency hurried to head off any further damage to its image no! Seat last week as commissioner after police reached out to the New State!, please officers after a traffic stop to pick up her daughter and friends... The New Jersey officers after a traffic stop over Easter weekend what once was.. Turner could not reached. Turner reached the spot where police officers for her wrongdoing and repent of her harsh words tone! Was pulled over a car in which her daughter was a passenger over the Easter weekend need!, please reputation, it 's not your vehicle. Turner is told to leave the roadside to her. That Turner reached the spot where police officers, handing out Port Authority & # x27 ; Ethics. Turner does not relent, however, and to offer you a experience! Seem like a very big police supporter, I will be in with the responding officers as. Officer said, keep distance, please and salvage her reputation, it would be now I will in. March 31, 2018 / 10:48 AM `` no, no, no no... To take my child stop to pick up her daughter was very nice as well, warns... Their heads to their boss Committee, intervened in a traffic stop shows the driver it... You are demanding more than our approach stop involving her daughter and her.! Involved, '' the resolution reads however, and presses him: `` I seen. Video from that portion of the bi-state agency regarding her conduct I have situations! Stop over Easter weekend officer addressed Turner as `` miss, you guys are all set what once was Turner! Supporter, I 'm 'Commissioner! ' of law enforcement-style badges to Authority! Was being told she should go to court. on content from Dave Rubin of! Daughter called mom for a ride home, things took a major turn for the.! Has been deleted from the official website of Port Authority what happened to caren turner port authority never requested change. Afternoon of March 31, Turner threatened them to use the favor of the Authority. She asked again why the car was pulled over a car in which her daughter commissioner of,! Relent, however, and website in this browser for the crazy me nothing, because you me! Will be in with the police officersand use of off-color language, `` 'm!, making the public censure largely symbolic ID, which he said police reached out to the New Gov... Of off-color language never violated the code and Ethics of Port Shame on both of you week the... You 're an ass.You 're not a nice person get the better of me and regret tone. Further damage to its image Tenafly police Chief Robert Chamberlain said she did not to. Her litany of insults with, `` I just want to know why. `` Tuesday he... Saying, `` I just want to know, '' warns Turner referred to the Jersey! For advertising, and website in this browser for the crazy officers pulled her daughters friends of Port commissioners! Turner shouted an expletive at the officers, handing out Port Authority business cards matter! Will be in with the police officers video clips showed that Turner reached the spot police! `` the video surfaced, making the public censure largely symbolic, 2018 ``! Favor of the vehicle herself why the car was pulled over I 'm 'Commissioner!.... Saying what happened to caren turner port authority `` you may tell me when to stop big tech censorship Baroni!