You don't think that he's entitled to a settlement? Or you don't think that he's entitled to the amount that he's suing for?

Think about it, here is a person who was attacked by a NYC rookie cop, fresh out of the academy with only three weeks on the job. Who slams Long and his bike to the ground, then he and possibly his partner lied in his/their official report making Long look like he was the instigator. When as the video shows Long was doing everything he could to avoid the officer in question. But the Pogan was doing everything that he could to engage the cyclist. Clasping both hands together to knock Long off of his bike.

Also if you pay attention to the video Pogan and his partner are standing in the "middle of the road" observing the riders then when group of riders passing them is thinning out it looks as if Pogan is herding Long towards the crib before finally attacking him. The way it looks to me it's almost as if Pogan was "stalking" Long before assaulting him.

And as has been pointed out if it wasn't for the existence of the video "everyone" would have accepted the "official" version and Long would be looking at arrest for:

• assault
• resisting arresting
• disorderly conduct

I have to say that I am kind of surprised that the city itself isn't listed in the article as being a party in the lawsuit. As both the city and Pogan should be sued as well. The city because as a NYC cop Pogan is a city employee and as such the city is responsible for his actions as is the NYC police department. And of course I think it goes without saying why Pogan should be sued.

The bottom line is that is not some "frivolous" lawsuit, Pogan screwed up by assaulting Long, he compounded that initial screw up by falsifying an official report. If this is what the police academy is teaching it's recruits then we are in trouble.

Do this put yourself in Long's shoes. How much would YOU sue for? And how much would you be willing to settle for? Keep in mind that whatever amount Long wins his lawyer(s) will probably at a minimum take between somewhere 10 and 20% as his/their fees.