Cop In Choke Hold Arrest Loses Gun And Badge ift.tt/1lkZapH A New York police officer involved in the arrest of a man who died after being placed in a banned choke hold has been stripped of his gun and badge and put on desk duty. Daniel Pantaleo, who has been with the NYPD for eight years, and another officer with four years service, have both been taken off the street following Eric Garners death on Staten Island. The police refused to identify the second officer but said he would keep his gun and badge while on desk duty. A streetside memorial has been set up to the 43-year-old victim The reassignment which takes immediate effect and will remain in force while an investigation into Mr Garners death is carried out. The move comes after the citys Civilian Complaint Review Board said it would review more than 1,000 choke hold complaints it has received against officers over the last five years in an attempt to discern why officers continue to use this forbidden practice. Mr Garner was captured on video in Tompkinsville, arguing with police officers who accused him of selling bootleg cigarettes. Mr Garner suffered a cardiac arrest after being wrestled to the ground The officers then surrounded the 43-year-old and when he apparently resisted arrest, one placed him in a choke hold and wrestled him to the ground. Mr Garner could be heard shouting I cant breathe! as he was held on the pavement. He suffered a cardiac arrest and died at Richmond University Medical Center on Thursday. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered a full investigation into the death of the father-of-six and grandfather-of-two, describing the circumstances as very troubling. New York Police Commissioner William Bratton told a news conference on Friday: Choke holds are prohibited by the New York City Police Department and most departments. A demonstration has been held in protest at Mr Garners death and a streetside memorial set up. Bill de Blasio says the circumstances of the death are very troubling The NYPD has faced criticism and legal challenges over its use of the stop and frisk tactic, which allows officers to stop anyone they suspect is about to commit a crime or has committed a crime. Patrick Lynch, president of the Patrolmens Benevolent Association, the citys largest police union, called Mr Pantaleos reassignment completely unwarranted. He said it denied him the very benefit of a doubt that has long been part of the social contract that allows police officers to face the risks of this difficult and complex job. A demonstration was held over the death of Mr Garner on Staten Island According to federal court records, three men have sued Mr Pantaleo within the last two years over what they argued were unlawful, racially motivated arrests on Staten Island. In the first lawsuit, settled by the city in January, two black men in their 40s accused Mr Pantaleo and other officers of arresting them without cause and subjecting them to a humiliating and unlawful strip search on a street. The men said they were held overnight on charges that were ultimately dismissed seven months later. In a second lawsuit, a man accused Mr Pantaleo and other officers of misrepresenting facts in a police report and other documents to substantiate charges that were eventually dismissed.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 08:09:56 +0000
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