Cop cleared in Taser slay

AN INVESTIGATION by the state attorney general’s office has cleared the NYPD of “criminal culpability” in the November death of a Bronx man Tasered by police.

The probe by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s special investigations and prosecutions unit determined that criminal charges were not warranted because Ariel Galarza (photo) threatened police officers with a glass bottle and ignored orders to drop it.

In its report, the AG’s office noted an officer “may justifiably use reasonable force in order to protect himself against the imminent use of unlawful force against himself or another person, or to effect an arrest.”

Galarza’s family said they were “very disappointed,” and vowed to pursue a lawsuit.

“This has to stop. It has to stop. These killings have to stop,” said his sister, Jeanette Galarza.

Galarza, 49, died after Sgt. William Melrose zapped him repeatedly with a Taser, causing cardiac arrest. A neighbor had called 911 when she saw Galarza acting erratically and holding a knife. The neighbor later admitted it was a mistake and apologized.