COLLEAGUES, RESIDENTS RALLY BEHIND OFFICER.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

A rookie police officer who lost his left eye in a shootout, and now fears he will be fired, got support Monday from fellow officers and citizens.

``I would work with him any day, and I would tell to the chief or anybody in the city: Once he gets on patrol put him in my car,'' said Officer Thomas Bergren. ``If he comes back and he's on probation and it turns out that he can't do this job, I'll be the first one to say that he shouldn't be on this job.''

``We treat him like he's got two eyes and he works like he has two good eyes,'' he said.

``He laid his life on the line to protect where I live, all of us,'' Mary Imelda Naulls said above her neighbors' applause. ``This is something to shout and rile about because he is not being given due justice.''

Less than three weeks after graduating from the Police Academy, Officer Jay Cicinelli was shot six times during a traffic stop Dec. 14. The 25-year-old rookie returned to patrol duty after spending 88 days recuperating from his wounds. The shooting suspect, Raul Jimenez, is scheduled to go on trial later this week, officials said.

Despite assurances from top brass that he could go back to work, Cicinelli said an internal Police Department memo indicates he will be fired because he is considered a liability. He's hired a lawyer to help.

``Finding out that I could possibly be terminated, that it's in the process, that part hurts me more than going through the pain and suffering that I went through from getting shot,'' Cicinelli said.

``I'm just starting my career...I want to do 30 years here, not two weeks,'' he said.

The LAPD defended itself, saying Cicinelli's actions were premature.

``It's a very complex personnel matter. Issues of law have to be examined, all medical information must be examined, and that information is still coming to us,'' Cmdr. David Kalish said.

The officer's attorney, Lawrence Hanna, said Cicinelli deserves a chance.

``The LAPD always talks about a family. Well, you're part of the family until you get hurt and then they show you the door,'' Hanna said.

Others offering support at a 77th Street station news conference were residents who praised officers for protecting them.

In preparation for a federal lawsuit, Cicinelli has already filed a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission charging discrimination.

Cicinelli, a former Marine who was chosen as his Police Academy class leader, received high scores on a driving test at the academy and tied for first place in a recent shooting contest with officers.