NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The NYPD officer who put a knee on a person's neck during a social distancing arrest in the East Village has selected a resignation over facing a departmental trial, the Daily News reports.
According to sources, Officer Francisco Garcia- who joined the NYPD in 2012 - put in his resignation papers Tuesday, two days ahead of his internal misconduct trial at NYPD headquarters.
On May 2, a video captured Garcia struggling with witness Donni Wright, 33, while trying to arrest another man, Shakiem Brunson, over social distancing violations.
Garcia ordered Wright to move back before threatening him with a Taser, then punching him and placing a knee on his neck.
Because Garcia is a a Tier 3 employee, the NYPD cannot prevent him from receiving his pension when he resigns, even with disciplinary charges pending, the Daily News adds.
According to Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch, Garcia was merely a scapegoat for the mayor's office and the NYPD's "half-baked public health policies."
"We warned them that sending cops out to enforce their half-baked public health policies would create a backlash — they didn't listen, and now a yet another police officer's career has been cut short by politics," Lynch said. "Is it any wonder that thousands of cops are heading out the door before the same thing happens to them?"
A spokesmanfor the Manhatann's DA said Wednesday that an investigation against Garcia is ongoing.
"While his not being on the force any longer is important, what's even more important is him being prosecuted criminally and convicted and going to jail for what he did," Sanford Rubenstein, Wright's attorney said.
