"The family of a police lieutenant who committed suicide last year is
suing the city, claiming that police officials drove him to kill
himself. The suit maintains that the officials vilified the officer,
Lt. Michael W. Pigott, after a confrontation in Brooklyn in which the
lieutenant’s order to shoot an emotionally disturbed man with a Taser
gun led to the man’s death."

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/06/family-of-officer-who-co...

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These events were certainly a tragedy for both families, however …

“Police officials told Lieutenant Pigott later that he might be
criminally prosecuted …”

If so, the decision to prosecute was in the hands of Charles Hynes,
the Brooklyn District Attorney; and likely, the NYPD administration
had the responsibility of communicating this to Lt. Piggot, as a
matter of informing him of his right to to remain silent, etc.

“… and that the city would not defend him if he was sued by Mr.
Morales’s family… ”

As for civil suits, is this a standard protocol for any government
official, or more specifically, officers on duty?

” …according to the lawsuit. Mr. Pigott was also ashamed by the
department’s assertions that he had “screwed up,” the lawsuit says.”

I do not recall reading that NYPD Police Commissiner Kelly said the
Lt. screwed up; I do recall a proper admission by NYPD that this was
improper use of a taser; I congratulate the NYPD on having such a
regulation for taser-use and recognizing in this instance that
regulations had not been followed in this death.

As for taking away his badge and gun, and reasigning the Lt. to desk
duty, this was highly proper: The Lt. was indeed in deep distress; he
should not have have a gun; nothing is wrong with that procedure.

What were the options of keeping the Lt alive? Lock him up in Belleuve
psych ward, against his will, and tie him down, shoot him with Haldol?