It has been five years since our city was shaken to its core watching Eric Garner being killed on video from a police chokehold. After the Staten Island grand jury handed down their verdict, I stated that Officer Pantaleo should be terminated; today that termination has come to pass.
“Commissioner O’Neill’s decision was I believe the correct one. Police officers carry the authority to take away life and liberty; with that authority comes the highest standard of responsibility to utilize the full range of de-escalation tools at their disposal.
“There is still a lot of anger and pain, and for the Garner family and so many of their supporters it may never go away. But with today’s decision, I hope we can look forward and create a symbiotic relationship between law enforcement and the citizens they put their lives on the line to serve and protect.”
