USA TODAY International Edition
Restraint banned
San Diego Police halt controversial method of restraint.
The San Diego Police Department, spurred by the fallout from George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, has immediately banned a controversial restraint technique.
At least three major police departments have banned similar neck holds or chokeholds amid increasing attention on policing maneuvers that cut off oxygen to people under arrest or restraint.
Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin used a similarly controversial knee- toneck restraint, pressing his knee into Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, which resulted in his death.
In San Diego, Police Chief David Nisleit and local elected officials announced Monday that officers would immediately stop using the carotid restraint as a use- of- force procedure amid nationwide protests against police brutality.
In the carotid restraint, an officer applies pressure to vascular veins to temporarily cut off blood flow to the brain, rendering the person unconscious. The carotid technique is different from a chokehold, in which pressure is put on the front of the neck and throat, cutting off air.
“We are watching the hurt and pain so many people are expressing after the tragic death of George Floyd and are committed to taking new actions to make sure something like this doesn’t happen in San Diego,” Mayor Kevin Faulconer said. The change is effective “immediately,” added Faulconer.
Other major law enforcement agencies have taken similar action in recent years:
New York City
The NYPD banned chokeholds in 1993 after a number of people died while being apprehended or in police custody.
In July of 2014, Eric Garner died after NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo wrapped an arm around his neck, obstructing Garner’s ability to breathe.
Chicago
The Chicago Police Department implemented a new policy in February that classifies “carotid artery restraints” as a deadly force technique.
“Chokeholds are dangerous,” Lori Lightfoot said while running for mayor. “They should be prohibited, pure and simple.”
Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Police Department forbids the chokehold but has used it for years as a part of standard procedure. Officers are allowed to use it in circumstances that call for deadly force.
In May 1982, Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates banned the bar- arm chokehold after a 24- year- old black motorist sued in an effort to forbid the move.
The Minneapolis Police Department’s policy manual on use- of- force still permits use of the chokehold, however.
Police officers in Minneapolis have rendered 44 people unconscious with the neck restraint since the beginning of 2015, according to NBC News.