Group Accuses NYPD Officer Of Placing Pregnant Woman In Choke Hold
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The NYPD on Monday was facing new allegations about one of its officers placing someone in a choke hold -- and this time it's a pregnant woman.
An East New York, Brooklyn advocacy group held a news conference Monday announcing that it has video and photos of a cop placing the seven-months pregnant woman in a choke hold.
The incident allegedly started when officers returned to Bradford Street in Brooklyn on Saturday to follow up on an unrelated domestic issue. That's when they noticed Rosan Miller, 27, grilling in front of her home, which violates city law, police told the New York Daily News.
Photos released by People Organizing and Working for Empowerment and Respect show the woman struggling with an officer who has his left arm draped across her neck.
Choke holds are prohibited by the NYPD, and the practice has made headlines in recent weeks since Eric Garner, of Staten Island, was arrested and died shortly after a cop placed him in a choke hold. The NYPD's Internal Affairs unit and the Staten Island District Attorney's office are investigating that case.
"It's incredible because the whole incident started off because they were barbecuing on a small grill in front of their home," former City Councilman Charles Barron told WCBS 880 of the latest incident.
"We have a video showing an officer going up the steps of her house, she getting in front of him, saying, 'I don't want you in my house.' She gets in front of him. He grabs her arm, pulls her down the steps, wrestling with her, gets her in a choke hold and then, after, she fights her way out of the choke hold. And then he enters her house without a warrant or permission from her, and then she comes out handcuffed."
He displayed photos that appeared to show the officer with the woman in a choke hold.
"Thank God she fought him off to get out of the choke hold, and her little 7-year-old daughter in the background is watching all of this," Barron said.
Barron claimed Miller was not doing anything wrong.
"Since when is barbecuing against the law?" Barron said.
A melee with police allegedly erupted involving the woman's brother and husband. Rosan Miller received a summons for disorderly conduct. Her brother, John Miller, was charged with harassment and obstruction of justice. Her husband, Moses Miller, was charged with resisting arrest.
Rosan Miller was not hurt in the incident, according to reports.
Police are reportedly reviewing the incident.
In light of the Garner case, Bratton said the department will receive top-to-bottom retraining.
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