NEW YORK — A rookie cop faces almost certain dismissal after he was caught on video sending a bicyclist sprawling with a vicious and seemingly unprovoked shoulder check, police sources said yesterday.
Officer Patrick Pogan, 23, who has been on patrol in the Midtown South Precinct for less than a month, looks like an NFL cornerback shoving a receiver out of bounds in the video, which was filmed in Times Square during Friday's Critical Mass bike ride and posted anonymously on YouTube.
His target, Christopher Long, 29, managed to avoid serious injury, but was arrested and charged with attempted assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
Long, court papers said, wove his bicycle in and out of the center lane on Seventh Avenue, disrupting traffic, then drove right into Pogan's body.
The video doesn't show any cars inconvenienced by Long, just Long trying to avoid Pogan as the young officer apparently singles him out and lowers the boom, sending the Hoboken resident off his bike and onto the sidewalk in front of dozens of witnesses.
"He was body-slammed," said Craig Radhuber, 54, who was riding his bike behind Long.
"I was so angry. I was ready to jump on the police officer. … This was totally uncalled-for."
Long, according to court papers, did have a few choice words for Pogan and other officers, telling them: "You are pawns in the game – I'm gonna have your job."
Long was released without bail and would not comment, nor would his lawyer.
The New York Police Department said the officer was placed on modified duty as a result of an investigation by Internal Affairs.