A chokehold on justice

The agonizing death of Eric Garner four years ago today, the result of NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo applying a banned chokehold to a man whose offense was selling loose cigarettes, has been followed by excruciating delays in the quest for even basic disciplinary justice.

At long last, there's light at the end of the tunnel.

It is understandable that the police department generally defers to law enforcement before initiating its internal disciplinary proceedings; getting ahead of prosecutors could taint and frustrate their efforts.

But one perverse consequence of that policy is that a cop winds up on the public payroll longer — in this case, racking up thousands of dollars in salary and pension payments — when misconduct is especially serious.

Way back in December 2014, a Staten Island grand jury declined to indict Pantaleo. But the U.S. Department of Justice's civil rights division made clear it still mulled charges on whether or not Pantaleo violated Garner's civil rights.

The feds' Hamlet act ever since has made a mockery out of the quest for accountability.

Monday, the NYPD finally said enough, giving the DOJ six final weeks to make up its mind before pulling the trigger on internal proceedings. About time. Now, Justice, make up your damn mind.