Several police departments nationwide have banned the use of deadly neck restraint technique

(Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this story misidentified the restraint used by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd.)

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 persons under arrest or restraint.

Former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin used a similarly controversial knee-to-neck restraint, pressing his knee into Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, resulting 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.

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In the carotid restraint, an officer applies pressure to vascular veins in order to temporarily cut off blood flow to the brain, rendering the person unconscious. The carotid technique is different than 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,” Faulconer said.

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Other major law enforcement agencies have taken similar action in recent years.

New York City

The NYPD banned chokeholds in 1993 after a large number of people dying 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 which classifies “carotid artery restraints” as a deadly force technique.

“Choke holds 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. 

During this time, Minneapolis police have used the neck restraints at least 237 times. According to NBC News, the data shows that three-fifths of those subjected to neck restraints and rendered unconscious were black.

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