TITLE
Recommendation to request City Council to support Assembly Bill 1196 (Gipson) making it illegal to use a carotid artery restraint tactic to forcibly detain a suspect, and request City Manager to communicate the City’s support to the bill’s author and our state legislative delegation.
DISCUSSION
BACKGROUND:
On May 25, 2020, a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee against the neck of George Floyd for more than 8 minutes, causing Mr. Floyd to lose consciousness and causing his death, and generating outrage and demands for change around the nation.
Assemblymember Mike Gipson has introduced Assembly Bill 1196, which would make it illegal to use a carotid artery restraint tactic to forcibly detain a suspect.
The carotid restraint technique, also known as a sleeper hold or blood choke, involves putting pressure on the side of a person’s neck to restrict blood flow.
A Los Angeles Times review of California Department of Justice records from 2016 to 2018 found that law enforcement throughout the state reported injuring 103 people using carotid neck restraints during those three years. Two people were killed and 91 people were left unconscious. Blacks made up 23% of those injured by neck restraints, while comprising 6.5% of the state’s population.
The City Council should go on record in support of Assemblymember Gipson’s bill to end this tactic.
STATEMENT OF URGENCY: Council consideration is timely given recent events and the anticipated timing of the consideration of the legislation.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact was able to be conducted due to the urgency and time sensitivity of this item.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
AL AUSTIN
COUNCILMEMBER, EIGHTH DISTRICT
SUZIE PRICE
COUNCILWOMAN, THIRD DISTIRCT
DEE ANDREWS
VICE MAYOR, SIXTH DISTRICT
REX RICHARDSON
COUNCILMEMBER, NINTH DISTRICT