After New York City Police Commissioner James O'Neill announced the department will be firing Officer Daniel Pantaleo for his role in the death of Eric Garner on Monday, the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York slammed the decision.
Saying O'Neill "has chosen politics and his own self-interest over the police officers he claims to lead," union President Patrick Lynch said in a statement, O'Neill "has chosen to cringe in fear of anti-police extremists, rather than standing up for New Yorkers who want a functioning police department."
"With this decision, Commissioner O'Neill has opened the door for politicians to dictate the outcome of every single NYPD disciplinary proceeding, without regard for the facts of the case or police officers' due process rights," Lynch continued. "He will wake up tomorrow to discover that the cop-haters are still not satisfied, but it will be too late. The damage is already done."
Lynch went on to warn New York City police to "proceed with the utmost caution in this new reality, in which they may be deemed 'reckless' just for doing their job."
Pantaleo, 34, tried to apprehend Garner for allegedly selling "loose" cigarettes. During the scuffle, Pantaleo put Garner in a chokehold, a move that has been prohibited by the police force since 1993. In video, Garner can be heard saying that he was unable to breathe.
"Therefore, I agree with the deputy commissioner of trials legal findings and recommendations and it is clear that Daniel Pantaleo can no longer effectively serve as a New York City police officer," O'Neil said a press conference.
Pantaleo, 34, tried to apprehend Garner for allegedly selling "loose" cigarettes. During the scuffle, Pantaleo put Garner in a chokehold, a move that has been prohibited by the police force since 1993. In video, Garner can be heard saying that he was unable to breathe.
"Therefore, I agree with the deputy commissioner of trials legal findings and recommendations and it is clear that Daniel Pantaleo can no longer effectively serve as a New York City police officer," O'Neil said a press conference.