Police Sergeant Says Bike Bodyslam Cop Exceeded Orders

It's Pat (Pogan)

Patrick Pogan, the former cop who was caught on tape slamming a cyclist off his bike during a 2008 Critical Mass ride, had been on the job only 11 days before the infamous incident. For that reason, he was part of a group of rookies instructed to simply observe the more experienced officers in Times Square on that fateful night, according to testimony from his superior, Sergeant Eric Perez. "I told them to let the detail enforce the laws," Perez said on the witness stand yesterday. "We wanted them there as backup, not to actually engage and stop."

During cross-examination, Perez backtracked somewhat, conceding that his orders may have been unclear. But the sergeant also testified that Pogan told him he had been rammed and knocked down by the cyclist, Christopher Long. And assistant DA Laura Millendorf, who spoke with Pogan about the arrest, recalled that Pogan insisted that Long "not only ignored his commands to stop, but also 'turned his bike around' to point and face the cop," the Post reports.

Millendorf told the jury, "I thought the act of charging head on into a police officer was egregious and should be the top count." And it was, though the charge against Long was later dropped after the video completely contradicted Pogan's version of the arrest. Pogan will have his turn on the witness stand today; if anyone wants to go, the trial is being held in Courtroom 733 at 111 Centre Street. (The courtroom has Wi-Fi and the judge is laid back about people using their laptops, although his popcorn policy is unclear.)

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on April 23, 2010 11:32 AM

Comments [rss]

dgeee

I suppose we should be happy that after 11 days on the job dumb f*ck didn't shoot anyone.

ANGRYGOD11

Patrick Pogan might have chosen the dumbest lawyer to represent him. Pogan was fired from the NYPD, so his lawyer shouldn't expect any help from anyone still on the job. Pogan didn't last long on the job, accomplished nothing and is the perfect guy to throw under the bus.

pal

he looks like a dyke. seriously.

jt10000

You're saying I shouldn't have assaulted him and lied about it? Was that wrong? Should I not have done that? I tell you, I gotta plead ignorence on this thing, because if anyone had said anything..."

theboneranger

that fat ass looks like exactly the type of dickhead goon in high school going around punching lockers and farting up the place. these are our police.

Spirit of 76

Yeah, and he was suffering from bully withdrawal pains, so he picked a target. With his arrogance, put him in general population and he won't survive his first week.