As punishment for pepper-spraying two penned-in Occupy Wall Street protesters without provocation, Deputy Inspector Anthony Bologna will... pick up some extra shifts. The Internal Affairs Bureau reviewed the infamous incident (which was caught on video and eventually spawned a Daily Show parody cop show, The Vigilogna) and determined that Bologna violated NYPD rules. As punishment for spraying a couple of women in the eyes and walking away, he loses ten vacation days! But he already had his hotel booked for next year's Chile Pepper Fest in Bowers, PA!
In case you're wondering exactly how Bologna went wrong, the NY Times reports that the department’s patrol guide says pepper spray "should be used primarily to control a suspect who is resisting arrest, or for protection; it does allow for its use in 'disorder control,' but only by officers with special training." The head of the Captains Endowment Association tells the paper that "Deputy Inspector Bologna is disappointed at the results of the department investigation. His actions prevented further injury and escalation of tumultuous conduct. To date, this conduct has not been portrayed in its true context."
Bologna, a 29-year veteran makes $154,300 a year, could contest the ruling, but then he risks an even stiffer penalty. And he could still face criminal charges. No, really! Yesterday, attorney Ron Kuby, who is representing one of the victims, met with investigators at Manhattan DA Cy Vance's office to press for assault charges against Bologna. Kuby tells reporters he's not satisfied with the Internal Affairs punishment. "The problem is, Deputy Inspector Bologna went berserk while on duty in a crowded public place and attacked a group of women who were not breaking the law," Kuby tells the Post. "That's not simply mishandling pepper spray, which makes it sound like he over-seasoned his salad."
And in an interview with the News, Kuby added, "Frankly, I don't want him to lose any vacation days at all. That means he spends more time on the job with an even bigger attitude. I think he needs a very long rest someplace quiet and stress-free." Your badge and your pepper spray, Vigilogna—all of it.
