Pasadena PD Suspends Use of Carotid Restraint
On Sunday, the Pasadena Police Department suspended the use of thecarotid restraint control hold — a type of chokehold used by police that cutsoff blood flow through the carotid arteries to the brain — until furthernotice.
The announcement came after Governor Newsom expressed concerns aboutthe chokehold during a press conference Friday.
“At the end of the day, the carotid hold that literally isdesigned to stop people’s blood from flowing into their brain. That has noplace any longer in 21st century practices,” Newsom said.
The governor has directed the California’s Commission on PeaceOfficers Standards and Training to stop providing training in the use of thecarotid restraint and has introduced new legislation (AB 1196) which is intendedto ban its use.
For its part, the Pasadena Police Department says it expects toget further clarity regarding this issue in the next few weeks.