Officer Arraigned on Multiple Charges
A New York City police officer, Omar Habib, has been charged with using a chokehold that was banned after the death of George Floyd, prosecutors announced. Habib, 40, was arraigned Thursday on several charges, including strangulation, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, and using unlawful methods of restraint, according to a statement by Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark.
Incident at Bronx Catering Hall
The charges stem from an incident on July 29, 2023, at a Bronx catering hall. Officer Habib responded to a 911 call involving a drunk and disorderly man who resisted arrest. According to the district attorney, Habib placed the man in a chokehold so tight that it impeded his breathing and blood circulation, causing him to lose consciousness.
“The defendant allegedly violated his oath of office by employing a technique to subdue a suspect which is specifically prohibited under New York City law,” Clark stated. “Police officers must adhere to the law.”
Officer Suspended, Defense Claims Innocence
Following the incident, Habib, who has been with the NYPD since 2007, was suspended without pay. His attorney, Jacob Z. Weinstein, asserted that Habib “will be absolutely vindicated from all these charges.” The Police Benevolent Association President, Patrick Hendry, emphasized that, like any other defendant, Habib is presumed innocent until proven guilty and is entitled to due process.
First Prosecution Under 2020 Chokehold Law
Habib’s charges are the first in the Bronx under a 2020 law passed by New York City Council in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The law, which criminalizes the use of chokeholds and other forms of physical restraint during arrests, was challenged by police unions but upheld last year by New York’s highest court. The NYPD had already banned chokeholds in most cases prior to the city law, but incidents of their use rarely resulted in prosecution.
Officer’s History of Misconduct
Before this recent arrest, Officer Habib had a documented history of misconduct, including substantiated complaints about excessive force and abuse of authority. In 2017, he was cited for using a chokehold in a separate incident, which was later covered in news stories about the continued use of banned restraints by police officers. Additionally, in 2016, Habib was accused of lying under oath and tampering with evidence during a gun raid, leading several defendants to withdraw their guilty pleas.
