New York Police officer Daniel Pantaleo had his gun and badge removed after a man died when officers placed him in a choke hold.
According to the New York Daily News, 43-year-old Eric Garner was brought down by officers and placed in a choke hold by Pantaleo. Garner, who is an asthmatic and weighs 400lbs, died after the incident.
Witnesses at the scene, some who videotaped the incident, reported that Garner said he couldn’t “breath” while officers brought him down to the ground.
Pantaleo and the other officers involved did not assist Garner, instead emergency workers from Richmond University Medical Center assisted the man.
The choke hold is prohibited by the police department because of the risk of fatality, reported Time Magazine4.
Garner was reportedly being arrested for the selling of untaxed cigarettes on the street.
Pantaleo was sued in the past by three men for arrests that were racially-biased.
Pantaleo, who worked for the NYPD for eight years was assigned to desk duty while another unnamed officer was reassigned, but allowed to keep his gun and badge.