Minneapolis to ban use of chokeholds by police in wake of Floyd’s death

Minnesota Department of Human Rights and the city of Minneapolis have agreed to ban the use of chokeholds by police, and have required officers to report and intervene when their colleagues use excessive force. 

The city council is expected to approve the move Friday as they mull several measures regarding the city police department in the wake of the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in Minneapolis police custody last week. 

The agreement applies to any officer regardless of rank and is court-enforceable. It requires officers who witness other officers using a chokehold to intervene verbally or physically.

Officers found violating agreements will be disciplined in a timely fashion, the agreement states. 

The agreement also requires that officers get permission from the police chief or a designated deputy chief to use crowd control measures such as flash bangs, tear gas and rubber bullets. 

These crowd control measures have used widely in Minneapolis and in other cities across the U.S. as demonstrators protest the death of Floyd. 

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer seen on a video using force, knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes in bystander footage released of Floyd’s arrest. Chauvin and three others were promptly fired from their positions.

Chauvin was later charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter last week, days after Floyd’s death.

This week, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) announced in a press conference that Chauvin’s charges were upgraded to second-degree murder, and the three other officers involved were arrested and charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.  

A spokesperson for the city Minneapolis did not immediately respond to an inquiry from The Hill.

Updated at 3:08 p.m.