Local law enforcement responds to order to ban chokeholds

An executive order encouraging better police practices signed Tuesday by President Donald Trump bans chokeholds unless an officer’s life is at risk.

Chokeholds are already largely banned in police departments nationwide, and local law enforcement allow it only in deadly force situations, in defense of themselves or another person.

Also known as the carotid hold, the chokehold is “considered deadly force under our use-of-force policy and is not to be used in subduing belligerent prisoners,” said Bowie County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jeff Neal.

He said a deputy would have to be authorized to use deadly force to put a chokehold on someone. Deadly force, by definition, is force that is intended to cause, is known by the subject to cause, or in the manner of its use or intended use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.

“Deputies are authorized to use deadly force in self-defense, or in defense of a third person, when it reasonably appears there is imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death,” Neal said.

Miller County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Mark Lewis said the department also considers the “deliberate application of a carotid or chokehold” to be deadly force. An officer would only use it if an officer’s life is threatened.

Trump’s executive order would establish a database that tracks police officers with excessive use of force complaints in their records. And it would give police departments a financial incentive to

adopt best practices and encourage co-responder programs, in which social workers join police when they respond to nonviolent calls involving mental health, addiction and homeless issues.

Because of the order’s newness, the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department command staff are “reviewing polices and practices to see what, if any, changes will need to be made to comply with the order,” said Lt. Zach White, a spokesman for TAPD.

The provisions included in the executive order are already being done by the Texarkana Texas Police Department and have been for years, said TTPD spokesman Shawn Vaughn.

“As a recognized law enforcement agency, we have existing policies in place that prohibit chokeholds, require additional training on dealing with mentally disturbed people … That said, we also recognize that there are always improvements that can be made in any organization, and we are committed to continue working to get better at serving and protecting all people here, regardless of their race, sex, or socio-economic status,” Vaughn said.

The president has continued to emphasize his support for law enforcement and on Tuesday railed against those who committed violence during peaceful protests.

Trump framed his plan as an alternative to the “defund the police” movement that has emerged from the protests and that he calls “radical and dangerous.”

With the political debate fluid, it is unclear whether the parties will be able to

find common ground. The proposals emerging from Democrats and Republicans share many similar provisions but take different approaches to address some of the issues. Neither bill goes as far as some activists want.

Central to the Republican package would be the creation of the national database to improve transparency so officers cannot transfer from one department to another without public oversight of their records. The Democrats have a similar provision.

One large police union, the influential Fraternal Order of Police, said in a statement it is working with Congress and the White House on the proposals, having provided “feedback” on the Democratic bill and “substantial input” on the emerging GOP package.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)