The US Justice Department is restricting the use of chokeholds and no-knock warrants.
Camera IconThe US Justice Department is restricting the use of chokeholds and no-knock warrants. Credit: AP

US restricts chokeholds, no-knock warrants

Sarah N. LynchAAP


The US Justice Department says it is curtailing the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies from using chokeholds to restrain suspects or executing no-knock warrants at peoples' homes before entering.



Police tactics involving the use of chokeholds or "carotid restraints" and no-knock warrants have both become flash points across the country amid calls for reforms to address systematic racism in policing against the black community.

In June, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison for killing George Floyd by kneeling on his neck.

The chilling murder was caught on video, as Floyd repeatedly cried out "I can't breath".

Meanwhile in Louisville, Kentucky, police shot and killed Breonna Taylor after executing a no-knock warrant.

Under the department's new policy, chokeholds will be prohibited by federal law enforcement unless deadly force is authorised.

The use of no-knock warrants will also be scaled back and in cases where they are needed, federal agents will be required to seek approval from senior department officials before using the tactic.