NYC police union lashes out at firing of Daniel Pantaleo

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - The head of New York City's main police union is criticizing the police commissioner's decision to fire an officer who placed an unarmed black man in a chokehold that contributed to the man's death in 2014.

Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch said Commissioner James O'Neill's announcement Monday that he had fired Officer Daniel Pantaleo showed O'Neill "has chosen politics and his own self-interest over the police officers he claims to lead."

Eric Garner died after being placed in a chokehold by Pantaleo during an arrest. Pantaleo's lawyer had said the officer used a reasonable amount of force.

Lynch said O'Neill "will wake up tomorrow to discover that the cop-haters are still not satisfied, but it will be too late."

The union president advised police officers not to jeopardize their careers or personal safety because top brass did not have their backs. He also said the union plans to appeal.

Pantaleo was not only losing his job, but also his pension; something his attorney, Stuart London, said he was assured wouldn't happen.

"We sat down with the highest ranking members of the NYPD, we had a cup of coffee and one thing was positive that the pension was safe," said London.

Pantaelo's lawyer also said he will be suing the NYPD for his job back.

On the other side, Eric Garner's family says their fight isn't over either.