NYPD Chief Bratton Uses Unfortunate Metaphor of ‘Breathing Room’ to Describe How Cops Could Handle Garner Protests

If a miscarriage of justice over a police officer choking Eric
Garner to death after he isn’t properly deferential when being
approached over suspicion of the possibility of selling untaxed
cigararettes, in which Garner’s famous last words, over and over,
were “I can’t breathe,” results in the possibility of public
protests, what will the New York Police Department do?

Why,
according to NYPD Chief Bratton:

“If they engage in criminal activity, such as vandalism—actual
crime—they will be arrested, quite simply,” he said. “But we have
the ability to have a level of tolerance—breathing room, if you
will,” Bratton said.

Now, there is no way this was a deliberate reference to Garner’s
final words as a cop killed him—it just couldn’t be, no one’s that
big a jerk.

But this unfortunate choice of words under the circumstances
points up something Bratton needs to inculcate in his officers down
the line: Potentially deadly force might be justified in preventing
harm to citizens’ lives or property.

It should not be a mere tool of enforcing obediance in a
situation that involves none of those things. Police not only
should have “breathing room” to not enforce the law to the letter
and with utmost force—they should understand that it is never
appropriate to do so when it involves potentially deadly force over
matters not related to protecting lives or property.

It’s nice that speaking colloquially, even Bratton understands
the difference between “actual crime” and just not obeying officers
commands.

Especially in the unfortunate world we live in when there are
laws the police are expected to enforce over selling cigarettes
without giving the government a cut.

Reason on
Garner. Do note we were on this and outraged about it
from the start.

Reason is your voice in debates about
politics, culture, and ideas. Our annual Webathon is underway and
your tax-deductible gift will help us fight against big government,
crony capitalism, the drug war, and so much more. For details
on giving levels and swag, go here
now.