I know, it’s part of the code. Cops have each other’s backs, just like the Three Musketeers or members of a motorcycle gang. You mess with one, you mess with them all, and risk being shot or used for a punching bag. You don’t even have to mess with them. All you have to do is be there.

But still, isn’t it brazen, even for the NYPD, to do nothing more than take away a few days’ pay from Anthony Bologna, aka Tony Baloney, the high-ranking cop who was spotted assaulting helpless women? Apparenty not:

NYPD Deputy Inspector Anthony Bologna was disciplined Tuesday for pepper-spraying two female protesters in the notorious YouTube video seen around the world… The NYPD found that Bologna violated departmental guidelines and docked him 10 vacation days, or the equivalent amount of pay, police sources said.

The 29-year veteran makes $154,300 a year.

Protesters had demanded Bologna be arrested for spraying two penned-in women in the face and then quickly striding away during a Sept. 24 protest near Union Square… Bologna’s actions appeared unprovoked, and other cops at the scene were recorded expressing amazement at what he did. Video of that moment – which was viewed more than 3 million times on YouTube and played over and over on TV – helped turn Occupy Wall Street into a global phenomenon.

In other words, maybe we should thank this white-shirted sadist. If not for him and like-minded cops on the force — let’s hope they’re in the minority — the corporate media would have continued to ignore Occupy Wall Street, just as Wall Street wanted them to do.

Tony Baloney’s not hurting for money, but maybe he could make up the lost pay by working for the NYPD’s Paid Detail Unit — essentially, a service through which the New York Stock Exchange and Wall Street corporations rent cops to act as their personal protectors/enforcers. A modern-day version of the Praetorian Guard.

Footnote: Many historians have noted that the Praetorian Guard was an ultra-badass outfit, but not exactly trustworthy. Caligula got whacked by the Guard for nor showing them enough respect. I’m picturing Lloyd Blankfein as Caligula. He’s a bit old for the part, but just as vile.