Strangleholder - Use in Law Enforcement

Use in Law Enforcement

The lateral vascular neck restraint (also called sleeper hold)is still a widely taught and utilized blood restriction hold in law enforcement, and can be performed from behind the suspect (or from the front when the officer is "on top" of the suspect) by putting an arm around the neck of the suspect, with the crook of the elbow over the midline of the neck. By pinching the arm together while assisting with the free hand, the carotid arteries and jugular veins were compressed on both sides of the neck. This hold did not put any pressure on the airway, of course, an improperly applied hold could quickly turn into an air choke if the person being strangled resisted the hold by attempting to turn around.

Due to risks of injuries, American law enforcement agencies restrict or in some "rare" instances, forbid its use. The Los Angeles Police Department, for example, prohibited its officers from using air chokes and restricted use of the carotid hold to instances where death or serious bodily injury was threatened, after routinely using chokeholds for many years. The Bay Area Rapid Transit Police are completely prohibited from using carotid holds.