Are the police allowed to use chokeholds?

In 1993, the police commissioner at the time, Raymond W. Kelly, banned chokeholds.

In 2016 — two years after Mr. Garner’s death — Bill Bratton, Mr. Kelly’s successor as commissioner, carved out an exception to that ban, for what he called “exigent circumstances.”

Are chokeholds still being used by the police in New York?

In 2014, there were 244 allegations of chokeholds, according to the Civilian Complaint Review Board, a city agency that investigates accusations against the police.

In 2015, that figure dropped to 172 allegations.

In 2016, there were 139 allegations.

In 2017, there were 132 allegations .

In 2018, there were 133 allegations.

As my colleague Ali Winston reported last week, “only a tiny fraction of officers accused of chokeholds have been found guilty and have faced discipline.” Also: “None have been fired.”

Where will Officer Pantaleo’s trial be held?

The courtroom is in the Police Department’s headquarters in Lower Manhattan. The trial is open to the public, but no court transcripts will be available, and lists of testifying witnesses will not be provided.

Even the judge’s decision will be not necessarily be disclosed. It will be sent to the police commissioner, James P. O’Neill, who has the authority to uphold, modify or even vacate the ruling.