Source: Officer violated rules on pepper spray

Associated Press

NEW YORK

An internal New York Police Department review has found an official violated department guidelines when he used pepper spray on Occupy Wall Street protesters last month, a person with knowledge of the investigation said Tuesday.

Deputy Inspector Anthony Bologna faces discipline of a loss of 10 vacation days after the Sept. 24 incident near Union Square, shortly after the now-global protests began in a tiny private plaza in lower Manhattan, the person said. The person had direct knowledge of the review but was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The demonstrators had meandered from their base in Zuccotti Park and spilled over into the streets, blocking traffic. Video from the protests shows a small group of mostly women corralled by orange netting used by officers to control crowds. Bologna approaches and, seemingly without warning, blasts the cluster with pepper spray. Two of the women crumple on the sidewalk in pain. One screams.

The incident helped propel the movement into the national spotlight. It sparked outrage by demonstrators and a collection of gawkers who were watching the protests online through streaming footage. Video has played an important role in the demonstration in New York, with police and protesters carrying cameras in nearly every encounter. The footage can go both ways, showing possible missteps by protesters and possible misconduct by police, and it can be heavily edited. Generally, the demonstrations have been peaceful.

Bologna, who works in Manhattan South, has the option to appeal the decision. His union said Bologna’s actions were motivated by his concern for the safety of officers under his command and the safety of the public.