Cop caught on tape clubbing man with baton
A police officer was caught on videotape striking a man 10 times with his baton during an arrest earlier this month on Delancey Street in Manhattan.
The police maintain that the man, Michael Cephus, 46, of Brooklyn, was intoxicated and claim he lunged at the officers with his umbrella while resisting arrest.
The incident comes on the heels of other embarrassing incidents for the NYPD. Yesterday, videotape came to light of a police officer decking a bicyclist during a Critical Mass rally. Last week officers were accused of riding around Manhattan with a black doll's head attached to their rear antennae.
The video of the July 4th incident was obtained by WNBC.
The NYPD placed the baton-wielding officer on modified pending an investigation.
Patrick Lynch, president of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, said the NYPD was overreacting. He defended the officer's conduct.
"The use of force was necessary and appropriate and the officer involved should never have been placed on modified assignment. Had the perp complied when first arrested, necessary force would not have been employed," he said
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