SAN MARCOS, Calif. (KGTV) — Palomar College announced Friday that the school's police academy will no longer train cadets on how to perform a carotid restraint hold.
The restraint will not be taught or used in the academy setting, according to Palomar's Director of Public Safety Programs Michael Andrews.
“Effective last week, the tactic is no longer being employed or used in the academy setting, period,” Andrews said. “We won’t even use it as an example. It will just simply be erased from training.”
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Palomar's decision comes after several agencies through San Diego County ended the use of the restraint technique amid demonstrations against police violence.
On June 18, the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training approved changes to its "Arrest and Control" learning unit to remove the training and use of the hold.
Andrews adds that the school is in the process of changing its academy curriculum to align with the learning unit's changes.
“Palomar took a stance, and we were successful,” Andrews said. “There are many other policing tactics which, when employed properly, can be productive. There is no need for this particular tactic.”
He added that originally the restraint was to be a last resort tactic, but has gradually become a common move during arrests.
Palomar Community College District Interim Superintendent and President Dr. Jack Kahn applauded the move, saying, "Palomar College is committed to training professionals, including police officers, who will serve and build up the community. We applaud the Commission, and our Police Academy leaders, for taking meaningful action on this issue."
