San Diego Police Ban Officers From Using Controversial Neck Restraint Which Killed George Floyd

Amid anti-racism protests across the United States, California's San Diego city on Monday announced an immediate ban on the controversial carotid restraint ¡ª a chokehold.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer led a procession of city officials and community activists in hailing what they called a ¡°historical moment¡± and a new chapter in police-community relations.

Agencies

In the wake of the apparent choking death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, city officials hope that the ban on the chokehold would help avoid fatal encounters.

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.

AFP

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.

San Diego¡¯s announcement that its officers will no longer use the technique comes on the heels of two days of protesting that has turned riotous in the region and the country after the death of George Floyd, who was handcuffed, in custody and on the ground when a Minneapolis police officer held a knee on his neck for several minutes.

Floyd can be heard pleading, saying he could not breathe. The incident was caught on video and has sparked anger nationwide.