Comments on Cop in the Hood: Officer assaults bicyclist (2): Let Them Ride

David,

I think you're right.

Thinkin...

2008-07-30T16:27:00.000-04:00

David,

I think you're right.

Thinking about it, I think the public defense was more a favor to Pogan's dad than the Pogan, junior.

I guess I see the role of a union president and a ...

2008-07-30T16:22:00.000-04:00

I guess I see the role of a union president and a defense lawyer as slightly different, since a defense lawyer's job is represent the interests of the individual, while the union president's job is to represent the entire membership. Usually that does mean representing the interests of the individual members, but in a case like this, the interests of Pogan and the interests of NYPD cops in general seem to diverge, since Pogan's actions will inevitably (and unfairly) give a bad name to NYPD cops in general. By staunchly defending Pogan's actions, rather than just calling for due process and no rush to judgment, Lynch may actually be acting contrary to the interests of the majority of officers, by implying that they endorse or condone unprovoked attacks on citizens.

I certainly think the PBA should ensure that Pogan has legal counsel, and ensure that he is given due process by the department. But making a public statement saying that Pogan's actions were justified, when almost everyone believes that's not true, has the effect of damaging the credibility and reputation of all the professional, respectful cops that Lynch represents. The union could have defended Pogan's rights without so strongly defending his specific actions in this incident.

Do you think less of defense lawyers when they say...

2008-07-30T01:55:00.000-04:00

Do you think less of defense lawyers when they say guilty people are innocent? It's their job.

So what do of think of the union saying such a thing? I think it's their job.

I'm curious what you think of the statement from t...

2008-07-30T01:42:00.000-04:00

I'm curious what you think of the statement from the PBA President defending Pogan (and criticizing the cyclist). I know that the PBA's purpose is to represent and support officers, but when you defend actions like Pogan's, aren't you hurting the vast majority of officers who actually practice the "Courtesy, Professionalism and Respect" that is advertised on the side of NYPD cars? It makes people like me think that maybe a lot of cops actually approve of Pogan's actions. By defending Pogan's outrageous behavior, the PBA pres. seems to be doing a disservice to reputations of all the other officers he represents, by implying that actions like Pogan's are considered appropriate by officers in general. Here is the statement from the PBA's Pat Lynch, as reported at NY1.com:

The police union is coming to the defense of that officer. President Pat Lynch of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association said Officer Patrick Pogan “took action” when he observed the rider creating a “hazardous situation for the public.”

Lynch, who was unavailable for an on-camera interview, issued a statement saying the video shows the rider did not stop, like "any reasonable person" when approached by the officer.

I doubt Ray Kelley ever gave the order to tackle b...

2008-07-30T00:35:00.000-04:00

I doubt Ray Kelley ever gave the order to tackle bicyclists and knock them to the ground.

But he may have given orders to "stop those damn bicyclists."

And then underlings have to try. And act like there's a way that police can stop them. Hence, very real frustration.

Saying he 'couldn't fathom' it also means he's try...

2008-07-30T00:29:00.000-04:00

Saying he 'couldn't fathom' it also means he's trying to pretend as if the NYPD hasn't encouraged a rather cavalier attitude toward bicyclists over the past four years.