Boone County Sheriff Office Use of Force: Neck Area

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The content of this web page is arranged under the following headings:
1. Overview
2. Boone County Sheriff's Office Use of Force Policy (As Of June 5, 2020)
3. Opinion Regarding BCSO Policies Pertaining to Use of Force to Neck Area of Suspects

1. Overview

Included below is the most recent Use of Force Policy that was first adopted by the Boone County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) in 2009. This Policy was reviewed, reapproved, and posted on a Lexipol webpage on June 5, 2020. BCSO contracts with Lexipol for informational and technological assistance to help establish and maintain best-practice law enforcement policies. A Lexipol app on BCSO-issued cell phones allows for easy access to all BCSO policies. The Lexipol app is also used to administer a mandatory and documented monthly 30-question test on various BSCO policies to help make certain that department personnel consistently follow the policies. 

The sections of the below BCSO Use of Force Policy that pertain to the use of force to a suspect's neck area are 300.3.4 CAROTID CONTROL HOLD and 300.3.5 USE OF FORCE TO SEIZE EVIDENCE.

The Carotid Control Hold is the only neck restraint authorized by the BCSO. A properly applied Carotid Control Hold does not apply pressure to the front of the neck, but one arm of the deputy is bent and pulled against one side of the suspect's neck to compress the carotid blood vessel. Proper technique also includes the deputy keeping his head in contact with the suspect's head while the deputy squeezes his arm against the side of the suspect's neck. The suspect pretty quickly loses consciousness after the blood flow to the brain through the carotid is stopped. The Carotid Control Hold is not applied on suspects who are handcuffed. The deputy continues to talk with the suspect while applying the Carotid Control Hold and tries to gain control of the situation before the suspect loses consciousness. 

BCSO emphasizes that the use of force to the head, neck, and groin of suspects is generally prohibited, except in life-threatening situations.

BCSO also believes that using the Carotid Control Hold when necessary can help prevent the use of deadly force.

New BCSO merit deputies complete a 15-week training course at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy where 40 hours are spent on defensive tactics (including the use of force). The new merit deputies then get 14 weeks of on-the-job training with a BCSO field training officer.  

2. Boone County Sheriff's Office Use of Force Policy
(As Of June 5, 2020)

NOTE: Please send an E-mail request to taxless3@comcast.net if you would like to have E-mailed to you an easier-to-read 8-page Windows Live Photo version of this Policy.

3. Opinion Regarding BCSO Policies Pertaining to Use of Force to Neck Area of Suspects

Two categories of neck restraints are recognized: (a) the chokehold that restricts a suspect's ability to breathe by applying pressure to the suspect's windpipe and (b) the vascular neck restraint that temporarily cuts off blood flow to the brain causing a suspect to go unconscious for a short period.

It is good public policy that the BCSO does not approve the use of chokeholds.

However, the Carotid Control Hold is a vascular neck restraint that is approved for use by the BCSO in accordance with guidelines included in the BCSO Use of Force Policy 300.

BCSO believes that using a properly applied Carotid Control Hold when necessary can help prevent the use of deadly force. However, it has been respectfully concluded that applying the Carotid Control Hold is itself a use of deadly force for the reasons listed next.

(1) The BCSO Use of Force Policy 300.3.4 recognizes that there is “the potential for injury” when applying the Carotid Control Hold. Furthermore, because blood flow is restricted to the head, Policy 300.3.5 discourages the intentional use of the Carotid Control Hold to seize evidence and prevent the destruction of evidence. It may be reasonable to expect that there would be no grievous bodily harm or death following the correct application of the Carotid Control Hold to healthy adult suspects who are not pregnant. However, there is no certain way to determine whether or not a suspect is healthy or pregnant during an encounter. A Calgary Police report found that applying the Carotid Control Hold can be dangerous if a suspect is not healthy. Some common health risk factors include excessive alcohol intoxication, drug use, obesity, and medical conditions such as an enlarged heart. A suspect with an enlarged heart can have a greater susceptibility to a cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) when under conditions of stress. Also, pressure on the neck can disturb the nervous controls to the heart and lead to a sudden slowing or even stoppage of the heart.

(2) The Carotid Control Hold requires recurring specialized training to maintain proficiency to ensure proper application and subsequent medical evaluation. When properly applied, a restrained suspect should be free of unreasonable pressure to the front and rear of the neck that can cause secondary injuries or death. But a small difference in technique to cut off the flow of blood to the head during a hectic encounter can also choke off the flow of oxygen and mean life or death for a suspect. A suspect who is grabbed around the neck and begins to experience reduced blood flow to the brain is going to naturally struggle, resulting in the need to use greater force and thereby increasing the possibility of improperly applying a Carotid Control Hold.

(3) The following law enforcement agencies are among those that have recently decided to classify carotid artery restraints as deadly force techniques: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Chicago Police Department, Arlington Police Department, and Fort Worth Police Department. In addition, some law enforcement agencies that have now entirely prohibited carotid control techniques include the Miami Police Department, Denver Police Department, and Phoenix Police Department.

Because it has been concluded that applying the Carotid Control Hold is a use of deadly force, the suggestions listed next are offered for the BCSO Use of Force Policy 300.

A. Revise the “Deadly Force” definition in Policy 300.1.1 as follows: “Deadly Force. Any use of force substantially likely to cause serious bodily injury or death, including but not limited to (a) the discharge of a firearm; (b the use of an impact weapon or equipment to apply force to the head, neck, or groin; (c) neck holds and any other tactics that restrict oxygen or blood flow to the head; and (d) certain interventions to stop a suspect's vehicle.”

B. Move Policy 300.3.4 “Carotid Control Hold” and place it underneath 300.4 DEADLY FORCE APPLICATIONS as Policy 300.4.2.

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This page was last updated on 06/15/20 .