(5 Aug 2014) The New York City Patrolmen's Benevolent Association is disputing a medical examiner's ruling that Eric Garner's death last month was a homicide caused by a police chokehold.
"It was not a chokehold," PBA president Patrick Lynch said. "He was a big man that had to be brought to the ground to be placed under arrest by shorter police officers."
Garner, who is black, died last month after a white police officer placed him in a chokehold during an attempt to arrest the 43-year-old for selling untaxed, loose cigarettes.
Lynch said the police force is troubled by what it sees as a situation by individuals in the city by which "resisting arrest is condoned and not taken seriously."
Edward Mullins, president of the NYPD's Seargent's Benevolent Association said he is concerned that the police officers will not get a fair trial.
"Everything is being piled on as to what they did or should've done or could have done and no one's allowing the due process to run its course."
Chokeholds are prohibited by the New York Police Department. Prosecutors on Staten Island are investigating, and Attorney General Eric Holder has said the Justice Department is "closely monitoring" the probe.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, a community activist has called for federal prosecution in the case.
Lynch said Sharpton lacks credibility and shouldn't be speaking out on the issue when all the facts have not been established.
"He shouldn't have the right to sit at the lead table at City Hall and stir up the streets where it becomes dangerous for police officers," Lynch said.
The officer who put Garner in the chokehold was stripped of his gun and badge pending the investigation, and another was placed on desk duty.

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