Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Patrick Pogan, Alleged Cyclist Bodyslammer, Indicted
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 16, 2008
Modified Dec 16, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 16, 2008
Modified Dec 16, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
As expected, NYPD officer Patrick Pogan, the rookie cop caught on video slamming a cyclist to the curb in a seemingly unprovoked assault during a July Critical Mass ride, turned himself in this morning. The grand jury indictment was then unsealed at State Supreme Court in Manhattan, and, according to NY1, Pogan was arraigned on a misdemeanor assault charge and a felony charge of filing a false report. (After arresting cyclist Christopher Long that night, Pogan accused Long of attempting assault, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct, contending that Long rode his bike straight into him, knocking them both down. Those charges against Long were later dropped.)
Pogan, 23, pleaded not guilty to felony charges and was then released without bail. NY1 reports that Police Commissioner Ray Kelly called the "situation sad and disappointing...It's certainly sad and disappointing to see any officer indicted, but especially one who had only been out of the police academy for three weeks."
Commenters on NYPD Rant are predictably disappointed, too; one opines: "He may have made a mistake, he shouldn't be indicted for it. Where is the serious physical injury? What weapon did he use?" Another feels that that there's a time and a place for this sort of thing, and "Times Square is not the place to give out your own justice, thousands of security cameras, as well of hundreds of our own."
David Rankin, Long's lawyer, tells the Daily News, "We hope it's a message to police officers that when they swear out a complaint, they need to tell the truth. If you lie, you're criminally liable."
Tagged
assault
bike
bodyslam
brutality
christopher long
critical mass
cyclist
indictment
knocked
new york
nyc
patrick pogan
police
rider
time's up
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
US judge tosses Trump lawsuit targeting pro-Palestinian protesters in NJ
The Justice Department sued demonstrators who protested at a synagogue, under a law aimed at shielding abortion clinics.
By
Willow Higgins
Published Oct 3, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET
A big, bright Saturn will be the highlight of NYC's fall stargazing season
Stargazers will have a great view of Saturn and two meteor showers in October.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
A big, bright Saturn will be the highlight of NYC's fall stargazing season
Stargazers will have a great view of Saturn and two meteor showers in October.
By
Rosemary Misdary
NYC tow companies busted for ripping off drivers must give $67K in refunds, city says
By
Liam Quigley
Off-duty NYPD officer stabbed in the Bronx, police say
By
Ryan Kost
DOC negligence factored in death at Rikers' Bellevue hospital outpost, jail officials say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .