On June 7, Governor Gavin Newsom directed the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) to remove all use of the Carotid Restraint Control Hold from training. Legislative bill AB 1196 has been introduced to eliminate the ability for California law enforcement to use the Carotid Restraint Control Hold and is currently awaiting a hearing in the California Senate. California P.O.S.T has notified the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department that any training or use of any type of the Carotid Restraint Control Hold will be done so outside of P.O.S.T certification.
While the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is continuing to review its policies and procedures and to conform with P.O.S.T training standards, it has immediately suspended the use of the Carotid Restraint Control Hold by all sheriff personnel, as a force option, until further notice.
The Ben Clark Training Center, which instructs the Basic P.O.S.T Academy as well as in-service courses for active law enforcement officers, has also been immediately suspended from instructing the Carotid Restraint Control Hold, until further notice.
If State Legislature eliminates the possibility for peace officers to use the Carotid Restraint Control Hold, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said it will update their policy accordingly.
