CPR Responds to NYPD Letter to U.S. Department of Justice Regarding Eric Garner

“This letter is more political theater by the de Blasio administration and NYPD to distract from the fact that four years after Eric Garner was killed, they have failed to hold any of the multiple officers responsible for the killing and related misconduct accountable. It lays bare the lie that the NYPD’s hands were tied from disciplining officers, when the truth is that the NYPD previously fired an officer prior to a federal indictment (Francis Livoti’s killing of Anthony Baez) and the officer who killed Walter Scott in South Carolina in 2015 was fired before a federal indictment. Multiple officers used excessive force while Pantaleo used a chokehold banned by the NYPD for over 20 years, others did nothing to intervene as Garner said he couldn't breathe 11 times. After the killing, officers lied on official reports by not mentioning the use-of-force that killed him and altering a witness statement. No one has been held accountable for any of this misconduct and the letter leaked by the NYPD equates to more rhetoric and not action towards accountability.

“It is the NYPD’s systemic failure to hold officers accountable for police abuses, brutality, killings and the misconduct surrounding them that perpetuates police killings. Police trainings and neighborhood policing are not solutions to the problem; accountability is the answer and the NYPD under de Blasio has a disgraceful track record when officers brutalize and kill civilians. The NYPD must stop blocking the CCRB from prosecuting Pantaleo and fire him, and must bring disciplinary charges and fire all officers who used excessive force, did nothing to intervene as Garner said he couldn't breathe 11 times, lied on official reports, and are responsible for other misconduct related to the killing.”

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About Communities United for Police Reform

Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) is an unprecedented campaign to end discriminatory policing practices in New York, and to build a lasting movement that promotes public safety and policing practices based on cooperation and respect– not discriminatory targeting and harassment.

CPR brings together a movement of community members, lawyers, researchers and activists to work for change. The partners in this campaign come from all 5 boroughs, from all walks of life and represent many of those unfairly targeted the most by the NYPD. CPR is fighting for reforms that will promote community safety while ensuring that the NYPD protects and serves all New Yorkers.

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