A shocking attack on an NYPD officer has led to an even more shocking event: freedom without bail.
On Saturday morning, the Sergeants Benevolent Association tweeted a video showing a man – identified as Steven Haynes, 40 – punching a police officer and wrestling him to the ground after Haynes was approached for blocking pedestrians and drinking on the sidewalk, according to NBC New York.
The attacked police officer (who is not identified) was able to call for backup and eventually remove Haynes before arresting him. Haynes was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and assaulting a police officer.
However, he was quickly released on Saturday without posting bail, drawing the ire of the SBA and PBA (police union).
“When will our elected leaders admit that the streets are out of control?,” the PBA tweeted on behalf of their president, Pat Lynch. “The perps know they can sucker punch a cop and escape with no consequences. And cops know that City Hall will not back them up. The situation is getting more dangerous by the day.”
The PBA again tweeted about the incident later in the day, noting that people are going to believe they can get away with assaulting a police officer.
For his part, Haynes told NBC New York that he regretted his actions.
It’s unclear if the police officer who was assaulted will choose to take further legal or civil action against Haynes, who was reportedly nursing a leg injury at the time he chose to attack.
The SBA later tweeted, “WARNING to all COPS! The Brooklyn Courts released a perp who assaulted an NYPD cop & he refused to be printed. NYC is under siege & so are YOU. Defend yourself at all cost. DeBlasios NYC will get you killed. See for yourself REFUSED PRINTS in Red/Right hand corner. Disgraceful.”
