[August 12, 2014]NEW YORK (Reuters) - Following
public outrage at the death of a New York City man who was put in a
choke hold while being arrested, the city's public advocate called on
Monday for police officers to be outfitted with body-worn cameras.
Public Advocate Letitia James recommended a pilot plan, costing
about $5 million, that would start in the city's most crime-plagued
neighborhoods and would seek to restore public trust in the police
department as controversy over aggressive policing tactics continues
to mount.
In addition, the cameras could help save the city millions of
dollars more when defending bogus lawsuits, James said, pointing to
cities from Los Angeles to Washington that have seen success with
similar measures.
To start, roughly 15 percent of all patrolling police officers would
be required to wear the cameras and record every stop. James, an
elected official whose office serves as a watchdog over city
agencies, said the program would ultimately spread to all the city's
precincts over time.
"We must continue to work to improve the relationship between the
NYPD and our communities, beginning with a system that promotes more
transparency and responsibility," James said in a statement.
Public debate on policing in the city has raged following the July
17 death of Staten Island man Eric Garner, who was placed in a choke
hold by officers and died a short time later. Police were attempting
to arrest Garner for selling illegal cigarettes outside a beauty
parlor.
The New York City medical examiner ruled earlier this month that the
death of Garner, a father of six, was a homicide caused by
"compression of neck (choke hold)."
Choke holds are prohibited by the New York City Police Department.
No police officers have been charged in Garner's death.
The city's Civilian Complaint Review Board has said that it is
reviewing the 1,022 chokehold allegations made against police from
2009 to 2013.
(Reporting by Curtis Skinner; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Eric
Beech)
Public Advocate Letitia James recommended a pilot plan, costing
about $5 million, that would start in the city's most crime-plagued
neighborhoods and would seek to restore public trust in the police
department as controversy over aggressive policing tactics continues
to mount.
