NEW YORK (WABC) — New York City Police Commissioner James O’Neill announced Monday that he has fired the police officer involved in the 2014 death of Eric Garner.
O’Neill had been deliberating whether to accept a disciplinary judge’s recommendation that Officer Daniel Pantaleo be fired for using a banned chokehold.
“None of us can take back our decisions, especially when they lead to the death of another human being,” O’Neill said, adding it was clear that Pantaleo “can no longer effectively serve as a New York City police officer.”
Related: Reaction swift on both sides after officer fired in Eric Garner’s death
Asked whether Mayor Bill de Blasio forced his hand, O’Neill said the dismissal was his choice.
“This is the decision that the police commissioner makes,” he said, calling Garner’s death an “irreversible tragedy” that “must have a consequence.”
Police were not happy with the decision.
#BREAKING PBA STATEMENT ON @NYPDONeill's DECISION TO FIRE P.O. PANTALEO
"The damage is already done. The NYPD will remain rudderless and frozen, and Commissioner O’Neill will never be able to bring it back. Now it is time for every PO in this city to make their own choice." pic.twitter.com/TAsNyXQG3J
— NYC PBA (@NYCPBA) August 19, 2019