Chapel Hill bans police use of chokeholds after George Floyd killing

The Town of Chapel Hill has prohibited the use of chokeholds and other neck restraints by police officers.

Posted 11:59 a.m. Sep 17, 2020 — Updated 12:07 p.m. Sep 17, 2020

Jessica Patrick

, WRAL multiplatform producer

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Town of Chapel Hill has prohibited the use of chokeholds and other neck restraints by police officers.

A post on the Town of Chapel Hill website Wednesday said town council recently called for the ban after the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbrey. A task force, “Reimagining of Community Safety," was also formed.

According to the town, "Chapel Hill police officers were never trained to use chokeholds and do not use them today." Instead, the new ban is meant to clarify and formalize the policy.

The cities, states and countries finally putting an end to police neck restraints

Chokeholds, like the one used on George Floyd in Minneapolis, restrict blood flow to the brain and may cause unconsciousness or death, town officials said. Therefore, the use of neck restraints, carotid restraints and chokeholds on suspects are prohibited.

Police department locally and across the country have also banned chokeholds. In June, Raleigh Police Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown announced her intention to ban the use of strangleholds and chokeholds.

Minnesota finalized a police reform bill banning neck restraints on July 23 after Gov. Tim Walz signed it into law.

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