NYPD judge recommends firing of police officer in death of Eric Garner

NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo should be fired for his role in the death of Eric Garner, a police administrative judge recommended Friday.

After a disciplinary trial, NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Trials Rosemarie Maldonado issued her recommendation that Pantaleo lose his job for Garner’s 2014 death, which the medical examiner has ruled was caused by a choke hold.

Police Commissioner James O’Neill must make the final decision, and the judge’s ruling is nonbinding.

“Today’s decision confirms what the Civilian Complaint Review Board always has maintained: Officer Daniel Pantaleo committed misconduct on July 17, 2014, and his actions caused the death of Eric Garner,” board chairman Fred Davie said. “The evidence the CCRB’s prosecutors brought forth at trial was more than sufficient to prove that Pantaleo is unfit to serve. Commissioner O’Neill must uphold this verdict and dismiss Pantaleo from the department, as was recommended by both the CCRB and the Deputy Commissioner of Trials.”

The Justice Department decided last month not to bring criminal civil rights charges for Garner's 2014 death. Advocates have been pressuring Mayor Bill de Blasio to make sure the officer is fired.

Article originally published on POLITICO Magazine