New York Police Sergeant Charged With Departmental Discipline in Eric Garner Arrest
A New York City police sergeant was served with departmental disciplinary charges on Friday for her role in the 2014 chokehold death of Eric Garner.
NYPD Sgt. Kizzy Adonis was one of two Police Department supervisors that were on the scene when Garner, a 43-year-old unarmed man, was choked to death during a confrontational arrest in Staten Island on July 17, 2014. Footage of the arrest, which was captured by a bystander, sparked protests against police brutality across the nation.
On Friday, Adonis was charged with four counts of "failure to supervise" and was stripped of her gun and shield, reports The New York Times. She was also placed on modified duty, making her the first officer involved in the case to face official accusations of misconduct. The officer responsible for choking Garner, however, was cleared of all charges by a grand jury in late 2014.
According to an internal report by the NYPD, Adonis told investigators "the perpetrator's condition did not seem serious and that he did not appear to get worse," reports The New York Daily News. The 14-year NYPD veteran also said that she "believed she heard the perpetrator state that he was having difficulty breathing."
In spite of the long-delayed discipline taken against Adonis, Garner's widow said she is not satisfied with how the case has been handled.
"When I get an indictment or a prosecution, then I'll be happy," Esaw Garner told The Daily News.
On the other hand, Sergeants Benevolent Association President Ed Mullins slammed NYPD Commissioner William Bratton for the charge against Adonis.
"It's a bulls--t political charge, and Commissioner Bratton is pandering," said Mullins. "That's exactly what that is ... Although he is the commissioner, I believe he has overstepped his bounds in this case."
"This is a total surprise," said Mullins. "Based on my knowledge, in my 35 years, she did her job. We may not like the outcome, but she did her job."
The Rev. Al Sharpton, however, applauded the charges against Adonis as progress.
"This is a good sign, but it's certainly not all we want," said Sharpton. "I think all the officers that were there need to be brought up on charges once the federal investigation is over. She and everyone involved had a responsibility to stop it," he added.
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