Chokeholds are not part of Rochester Police Use of Force policy

ROCHESTER - The Rochester Police Department neither trains nor teaches its officers any form of chokeholds.

A full description of the department Use of Force policies, obtained by The Rochester Voice after a Freedom of Information request, makes no mention of chokeholds, which have come under wide scrutiny in the Memorial Day death of George Floyd of Minneapolis, who succumbed after a police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.

The Rochester Police Department's Use of Force policy, which comprises 19 separate documents that cover a myriad of scenarios in which both lethal and nonlethal methods can and cannot be used, states unequivocally that at all times, "The apprehension of criminal offenders and protection must at all times be subservient to the protection of life."

"It is the policy of the Rochester Police Department that its members use only the amount of force that is reasonable and necessary to accomplish lawful objectives, while protecting the lives of the officers or others," a preamble states.

Sections of the policy govern the use of nonlethal force as well, including batons, tasers, pepper spray and other tools.

"We don't teach, train, or utilize any chokeholds," Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham said during an interview last week.

Pinkham noted that in a life and death situation, however, it's up to the individual officer to do what they feel they need to do to protect themselves, especially if they've lost access to their service weapon.

"They (an officer) shouldn't fear repercussion for trying to save their own life," he said.

According to Wikipedia.org, some law enforcement agencies utilize the chokehold to force an uncooperative subject to submit without causing death or permanent injury.

"In this situation it is vital to distinguish between air and blood chokes," the entry states. "A hold that simultaneously blocks both the left and right carotid arteries results in cerebral ischemia and loss of consciousness within seconds. If properly applied, the hold produces almost immediate cessation of resistance. However to avoid injury the hold cannot be maintained more than a few seconds."

Many law enforcement agencies around the country have outlawed the chokehold in recent weeks following outcry and riots over Floyd's death in several U.S. cities.