City Council Bill Would Create Criminal Penalties for Cops Who Use Chokeholds
Jon Campbell
In the months since the death of Staten Island man Eric Garner sparked an intense debate about the use of chokeholds as an acceptable police maneuver, Rory Lancman has been adamant that officers who administer chokeholds should be criminally charged. On Thursday, Lancman, a New York City Councilman from Queens introduced a bill that would allow the city to do just that.
Chokeholds, which have been banned by NYPD policy at least since 1993, became a subject of renewed focus after Garner was killed during a July encounter with police who used the maneuver while arresting him for a minor crime.
Lanceman's bill, cosponsored by fellow council members Jumaane Williams and Robert Cornegy, would subject police to a misdemeanor charge if they use a chokehold. Previously the only sanctions for police officers were internal disciplinary measures or reprimands from the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB).
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2014/11/city_council_bill_would_create_criminal_penalties_for_officers_who_use_chok.php