Reno police revise use-of-force policy; chokeholds banned

Department policy changes stem from demonstrations that have erupted across the country over the death of Floyd, a black man who died after a white officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air.

The changes will take effect immediately and include new guidelines on de-escalation and peer intervention, prohibiting techniques that restrict breathing, increasing supervisor and internal affairs oversight and providing other warning options before resorting to deadly force, department officials said in a statement Friday.

“We immediately reviewed our policies, as these important conversations continue to happen in our city, region, country, and worldwide, for that matter,” acting Reno Police Chief Tom Robinson said. “We are committed to transparency and community policing, and we are proud to release these use of force updates today.”

The changes reflect recommendations from the #8cantwait campaign, which has illustrated eight policies that can reduce police violence by more than 70 percent, KRNV-TV reported.

Many residents and local officials have been supportive of these new changes, but some still believe more needs to be done for there to be a lasting impact.

“You can’t have a law enforcement system that is unjust in ways that we’ve seen recently and I do not think it’s going to stop with one or two lines in policy,” Reno-Sparks NAACP President Lonnie L. Feemster said. “It’s got to be done at the federal level but certainly at the state level here in Nevada.”

“The events of this week have been challenging for cities all across this nation, and Reno is no exception,” acting City Manager Jason Soto said. “But I am committed to providing a safe community that continues to hold open conversations about policy, procedure and trust with all of our community and media.”