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A police officer from New Mexico was charged with involuntary manslaughter following the death of a man he put in a neck restraint in February.

Las Cruces Police Department Announced the Charges

Las Cruces Police Department in New Mexico announced on Friday the charges filed against a police officer. Police Officer Christopher Smelser will be facing involuntary manslaughter charges following the death of Antonio Valenzuela. 

According to the police department, Smelser detained Valenzuela during a traffic stop on Feb. 29 and that Valenzuela had an open warrant for a probation violation. On the same day, Valenzuela died as the officer put in neck restraints. 

Valenzuela tried to escape at that time and the police department used stun guns to subdue him. He was caught by Police Officer Smelser who used the vascular neck restraint technique on him. This led to the death of Valenzuela. He was tried to revive by medical staff who were called by they were not successful. 

Police Chief Department Announced the Dismissal of Smelser's Service

Smelser has been in the service for four years and has been on administrative leave while waiting for the outcome of the investigation that occurred in Feb.29 that involved him and Valenzuela. The investigation was conducted by the New Mexico State Police.

Following this, Police Chief Department Patrick Gallagher received the result of the autopsy on June 4 and announced on Friday the dismissal of Smelser from service. It was also found out that he issued a letter of intent to terminate Smelser's employment.

Las Cruces Police Chief Patrick Gallagher said in a statement: "Words are insufficient to bring comfort to Antonio Valenzuela's family, but I extend my sincere condolences for their loss. It is a tragic day for everyone involved when there is an in-custody death or a death as a result of a police apprehension."

House Democrats Plan to Repeal the Police Doctrine 

It is very difficult to bring charges against police officers in the U.S. because of the so-called immunity doctrine for law enforcement that protects police officers from any lawsuits over their actions while they perform their duty.

To address this issue which becomes also the main problem in the country following the death of George Floyd because of neck restraint put in as well by a police officer, the House Democrats plan to repeal this police doctrine. 

It can be recalled that George Floyd also died on May 25 after a police officer put in a neck restraint. The use of chokeholds and other force tactics from law enforcement was greatly criticized in the past few days that it led to some violent protests across the country.

On Friday, the Minneapolis City Council forged an agreement with the state negotiators to ban the use of chokeholds to avoid more brutal arrests. It can be remembered that the arrest to George Floyd by a police officer while kneeling on his neck lasted for eight minutes.  

Meanwhile, the Congressional Black Caucus is now working with some lawmakers to have some police reforms. 

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