Queensland police have been cleared to use a controversial and potentially deadly chokehold in certain situations after it was banned just over a month ago.
The use of the lateral vascular neck restraint (LVNR), also known as the “sleeper” chokehold, was banned on April 14 following a 12-month review, bringing Queensland into line with other states and territories.
Queensland police have now clarified the “ban” and cleared police to use the LVNR hold in dangerous situations.
“A clarification was issued to QPS officers on Monday reaffirming that the LVNR not be used in the course of ordinary policing duties and outlining statutory provisions concerning force that may lawfully be used to prevent death or grievous bodily harm,” a police spokesman told AAP.
Police have defended the clarification, insisting it does not change the force’s stance against the use of the chokehold.
“Contrary to media reporting, there has been no change to the QPS position regarding LVNR,” a QPS spokesperson said.
“These provisions were available to officers when the ban took place last month and have been outlined in the clarification issued yesterday to make it clear to officers following concerns raised by the Queensland Police Union of Employees.”
Queensland police had previously been trained to apply the hold during a violent struggle at the point of arrest.
It involves compressing the arteries and veins in the neck and cutting blood supply to the brain, leading to altered levels of consciousness.
In April, Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the LVNR restraint would no longer be “a use of force option for all officers, effective immediately”.
“Having reviewed a range of evidence and information presented to me, I have made the decision to discontinue the use of the LVNR from the QPS Use of Force Model and no longer include the technique in our operational skills training,” the commissioner said.
“While it has been available to officers for a long time in Queensland, the options for officers … have increased and broadened since its introduction over 30 years ago.”
The decision was welcomed as long overdue by advocacy groups but the Queensland Police Union warned it could lead to increased use of firearms, tasers and batons.
“The QPU believes in having as many use-of-force options as practical to keep officers safe and does not support reducing (them),” union president Ian Leavers said in April.
“The only thing banning the LVNR … will do is force police to become more reliant on batons, tasers and firearms,” he said.
Since 2011, the use of the LVNR has been considered in four separate fatal incidents by Queensland coroners.
The technique had been the subject of an ongoing review by Queensland Police.
Ms Carroll set up a working group in 2022 involving the police union, the Crime and Corruption Commission and medical experts.
– AAP
