Remember the video of the New York cop body-checking a cyclist? Well he's been fired or he's resigned, depending on who you talk to.
NEW YORK - New York City police say an officer seen in a YouTube video knocking a bicyclist to the pavement during a protest has been kicked off the force, although his lawyer says his client resigned.
Police officials say Patrick Pogan was dismissed last week. He was suspended last year after pleading not guilty to criminal charges of filing false paperwork.
His lawyer, Stuart London, says his 23-year-old client resigned and expects to be vindicated at trial.
Pogan is accused of knocking Christopher Long off his bicycle without justification on June 25 during a group-organized bike ride.
Pogan had arrested Long, saying the cyclist blocked traffic and steered his bike into an officer, but charges were dismissed after the video appeared on YouTube.
Comments
dash (not verified)
accidental assault?
Fri, 02/20/2009 - 13:43Looks like the officer was attempting to weave through the bike traffic, got too close - made the (ill advised) choice of attempting to speed ahead in front of that cyclist and realizing that a crash was imminent, pushed the cyclist to preserve himself from injury.
Tom Flaherty
Ill Advised
Sat, 02/21/2009 - 20:49dash, (or perhaps Patrick?)
The only thing accidental here is your judgment.
Watch it again.
The cyclist CLEARLY tries to avoid the officer who moves to knock him over.
The cyclist was later arrested and charged with Assaulting a Police Officer, Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest.
robb (not verified)
Are you an officer, Dash...?
Fri, 02/20/2009 - 17:34Just curious.
toddtyrtle
Fortunately they had the video
Fri, 02/20/2009 - 17:20It's a good thing, too - charges against the cyclist were dropped
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/20/nyregion/20cop.html?_r=2