You are missing my point: the cops should not have had the job of messing with Garner in the first place. This isn’t their fault, for sure, but it comes of legislatures forcing law enforcement to deal with matters too trivial and benign for police to be either effective or relevant. Laws should be written to prevent harm not to regulate harmless behavior.
Then who is to enforce the law if not law enforcement agents?
Most here agree that the loosies law is subject to debate, but insofar as it exists were not surprised it’s enforced, and scofflaws are dealt with harshly.
Yes, cops don’t make the laws, but they are charged with enforcing them. This was not Mr. Garner’s first rodeo with the justice system. He was what is called a frequent law enforcement consumer. He should have been quite familiar with the process.
People being restrained by cops frequently yell and holler than they can’t breather, are being hurt, having a heart attack, etc. in an attempt to get the cops to let go. The cops had no idea Garner was asthmatic, and he didn’t die there. He died at the hospital. Might as well blame the doctors.