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Pepper Spray Cop Reassigned To Staten Island
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Oct 26, 2011
Modified Oct 26, 2011
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Oct 26, 2011
Modified Oct 26, 2011
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Deputy Inspector Anthony Bologna, who was twice caught on tape discharging pepper spray on seemingly innocent protesters, has been reassigned from his post at Patrol Borough Manhattan South to a special projects coordinator in Staten Island, where he lives. The head of the Captain's Endowment Association told the Daily News that Bologna "is an experienced professional who will work hard to excel in any assignment the commissioner directs," but this sure looks like a demotion to us.
Before he was reassigned, Bologna was docked ten vacation days for the September 24th incidents, and one of the woman he sprayed, 24-year-old Kaylee Dedrick, has said she may sue over what happened. Deputy Inspector Johnny Cardona, who seemingly punched protester Felix Rivera-Pitre on October 14, is having his actions reviewed by New York Civilian Complaint Review board, but the NYPD's IAB has not begun an investigation, as was the case with Bologna.
Bologna said that he was actually aiming his pepper spray at a group of males grabbing the legs of NYPD officers, but that can't be seen in the video footage. Lest you believe Bologna's reassignment is not a demotion, it's worth noting that a similar situation was portrayed on Law & Order, in which a top cop played by Chris Noth punches a corrupt politician after he is aquitted. Noth's character is then sent in "exile" to work in Staten Island. Thus spoke Law & Order. There may be hope yet for Bologna to get his own show.
Tagged
anthony bologna
johnny cardona
nypd
occupy wall street
pepper spray
protests
staten island
white-shirts
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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