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Police: Ex-Port Authority official who berated officers continued rant at station

<p>A former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey commissioner who was caught on camera berating police officers during a traffic stop apparently continued her rant at the police station, according to Tenafly police.</p>

News 12 Staff

Apr 25, 2018, 9:28 PM

Updated 2,402 days ago

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A former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey commissioner who was caught on camera berating police officers during a traffic stop apparently continued her rant at the police station, according to Tenafly police.
Caren Turner resigned from her unpaid position after an investigation got underway into her conduct. Turner is seen in video from a police dashboard camera berating two Tenafly officers during a traffic stop involving her adult daughter.
Turner is seen flashing her credentials and attempting to pull rank on the officers during the March 31 stop on Route 9W. Turner’s daughter was inside a car with a group of friends. The car was pulled over for having tinted windows and a partially obstructed license plate – both illegal in New Jersey. The car also had an expired Nevada registration. Turner’s daughter was not driving.
The officers said that they were going to impound the car. Turner says in the video that her daughter called her to come to the scene.
The officers appear to maintain their composure during the altercation, while Turner is heard swearing at them and telling them that they ruined the Passover holiday.
Port Authority officials issued a statement calling Turner's conduct indefensible and said that her resignation was appropriate given her conduct.
Turner released a statement to NJ.com that said in part, "...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."
The statement continued, “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."
The Tenafly police chief commended his officers for maintaining their professionalism during the traffic stop.
"I am extremely proud of the composure, poise and restraint that Officer Savitsky and Officer Casper exhibited that day," said Tenafly Police Chief Robert Chamberlain. "I truly believe their professionalism is a representation of the greater law enforcement community and is reflective of new training initiatives to assist law enforcement personnel in similar situations."