The Phoenix police chief has announced a change in the department’s use-of-force policy.
Chief Jeri Williams issued a statement Tuesday saying her department "will suspend training and use of the Carotid Control Technique, effective immediately."
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According to Phoenix Police Operations Orders, the technique, also known as a chokehold, is "designed to reduce the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain."
Previously, the department allowed the use of the technique in certain circumstances.
The policy change follows nearly two weeks of international protests against police brutality after a Minneapolis officer killed George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest on May 25.
In 2014, a New York police officer killed Eric Garner while using a chokehold technique.
