Today, Chief Steve Mylett announced the Bellevue Police Department is prohibiting the use of neck restraints by its’ officers in circumstances where deadly force would not be justified. Previously, these techniques were permitted as an intermediate level of force in cases involving resistive or violent individuals posing a threat of harm to the officer.
This decision was made with consideration given to the controversial nature of these types of techniques. The Bellevue Police Department has trained and authorized its’ Officers to use this technique, referred to as a vascular neck restraint, since 2009.
Chief Mylett, speaking about this decision, stated: “As a department, Bellevue Police are constantly reviewing our policies and procedures to better serve our diverse community. We recognize that neck restraint techniques, while effective, are highly controversial and divisive. Until we can have additional conversations with the Bellevue community, I have decided to stop their use until further notice, except when the officer’s life is in danger.”
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