Webster Police Release Footage of Sergeant’s Traffic Stop That Led to Investigation

Webster, NY (WHAM) – An internal investigation is underway within the Webster Police Department after the police chief said a sergeant mishandled a traffic stop earlier this year.

On April 1, Webster Police were called to Orchard Street for a report of a person unconscious in a vehicle.

Rochester Police also confirmed an April 1 incident involving an off-duty department member that is also under investigation.

Footage from the responding sergeant’s body-worn camera was sent to 13WHAM by Webster Police Chief Dennis Kohlmeier on Wednesday, showing the first three minutes and six seconds of the traffic stop before the sergeant deactivated the camera.

The video begins with the sergeant walking past a garbage truck and a man in a safety vest who said the driver “didn’t want to roll down his window at first.”

The footage shows a brief exchange between the sergeant and the driver of the stopped vehicle. The audio cuts out for a moment and shortly after, the sergeant says he is “everything ready” on his radio before asking the driver where he was going. The driver said he was going home.

“You know that can’t happen, okay? You can go home, but not in this condition, driving and all,” the sergeant replied.

The sergeant asks further “Who can we call? Your wife?” At the driver’s request, the sergeant then dismissed the responding paramedics.

A moment later the sergeant turns off his camera.

Kohlmeier said the incident was not handled properly because the sergeant did not record or document the entire incident. He said when he learned of the incident, he notified the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office as well as the New York State Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigation Bureau.

Kohlmeier said the video did not show “a fair and impartial investigation.”

The sergeant who investigated the incident has been placed on leave pending the completion of the internal investigation. We have been informed that disciplinary action will continue pending the completion of a “grievance resolution.”

Regarding the Rochester Police Department officer, we have been advised that the officer was on vacation at the time of the April 1 incident and remains on vacation.

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