I think of it as a police chase with a motorcycle. They are told to stand down, get the plate number, and then give them a no knock at 4:30.Use of Force policies are being re-written to the point that lethal force is only to be used if there is NO other option. If the officer can escape from their attacker, they'll have to do that. Read the policies carefully.
Policies that classify all choke holds and neck restraints as deadly force are ignorant at best. Choke holds are a part of almost every viable modern martial art - BJJ in particular. In addition there's a huge difference between a head lock and a choke hold as any 8 year old on the playground can attest.
Choke holds, when properly applied, are extremely effective and extremely safe. I know this from first hand experience. I've seen multiple suspects subdued without injury using choke holds where the only other alternative was gunfire. Choke holds save lives - Police and private citizen alike.
Something a lot of folks forget is that the Rodney King disaster was largely a result of the LAPD prohibiting the choke hold. King was on PCP and repeatedly attacked Officers. The early prototype Tasers failed to subdue him. The only options left (given what was available to LAPD at the time) were the baton and the firearm. The Officers did what they were trained to do and what they were told was the humane thing to do - namely they hit Rodney King with their PR-24s until he stopped getting up. The result was horrifying to look at and completely avoidable had Lateral Vascular Neck Restraint been available. I will also mention, as a side note, that once upon a time I was issued a PR-24 and was hit with it in training. The nightsticks used to hit King are roughly the same weight as a loaf of Wonder Bread and they're hollow. They sting but getting hit with one is in no way comparable to being struck with a metal ASP or a wooden straight baton and far preferable to being shot.
The choke hold should be listed in any use of force continuum in the same category as the Taser or the nightstick. Taking this tool away from Police is a huge mistake and one that will have long lasting consequences. The folks making these decisions don't understand how actual street fights operate; either that or they don't care.
Maybe part of the reason former CoP left. It is coming..
Don't forget that they probably are working on a department of pre-crime...
As a former LEO with a lot of friends still on the job I can tell you you are correct. Many are looking for other careers or laterals to small departments or LE agencies that don't see a lot of crazyness. Both of my stepsons (both LEOs) are considering a career change.
Exactly - agencies need to be providing MORE training on how to effectively restrain with chokeholds (technically strangle, but that word brings out the angry feelings) so that officers have more options before using true lethal force.
It's not a strangle. Strangle is cutting off air to the subject.
A proper chokehold uses the bicep and forearm cutting off circulation in the carotids(with the pit of the elbow/inside part) protecting the trachea so it doesn't get crushed and strangle the subject.
The tiniest bit of blood supply cut off to the grape puts them right out temporarily. Like not long at all, just enough for you to get the one up on them.
So far I've made it 59 years without a cop having to put me in a chokehold or wrestle me to the ground.
Weird, isn't it?