NYPD expects riots as cop in 2014 Eric Garner chokehold death case will learn whether he will be fired or not
NEW YORK: The future of NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo at the police department will be announced on Thursday and the department is tightening security to control the situation in case a riot breaks, reported DailyMail.com. Pantaleo choked a black man named Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York City in 2014 which resulted in his death. He was put in a department prohibited headlock for 15 seconds while he was being arrested. The incident was caught on camera by Garner's friend Ramsey Orta, and has been crucial in bringing police brutality into wider public awareness.
A police source at the Department told the publication that the chain of command has been notified in fear of protests. "The borough commands have been notified to schedule personnel in anticipation of a Pantaleo decision on Thursday. The call came from headquarters to the borough commands this morning. They're putting plans in place. We may end up with all kinds of protests," the source said. Security will also be tightened at Staten Island.
Pantaleo's disciplinary hearing was concluded on June 6. New York Police Commissioner James O'Neill is expected to announce Thursday the steps that will be taken regarding Pantaleo's career. Pantaleo had put Garner in a chokehold after a confrontation over Garner selling loose, untaxed cigarettes outside a Staten Island convenience store. Garner uttered, "I can't breathe" some 11 times before passing out and dying.
The source also said that the commissioner's decision was unpredictable because either way, the repercussions could be against him. "Nobody knows what O'Neill's going to decide," the source said. The judge in the hearing recommended disciplinary action against the officer but the decision rests on his shoulders alone. "If he fires Pantaleo, he's going to have backlash from the cops. If he doesn't fire him, then he's going to face backlash from the public. He's boxed in," the insider said.
The Dem Debate on Wednesday, July 31, also saw protestors questioning New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and former Vice President Joe Biden on the matter. As soon as Blasio made his opening statement, hecklers chanted "Fire Pantaleo!"
Pantaleo is currently on desk duty at the NYPD.