Met Police response to question on whether officers are trained to use a knee against a persons neck when restraining them
Please see below the response from the Met police to a question of whether officers are trained to use a knee against a persons neck when restraining them:
I have sought confirmation and advice from the MPS Officer Safety Unit who are responsible for all personal safety policy in the MPS, aswell as the College of Policing. I can confirm that we do not teach any form of neck restraint using a knee, or any other kind of neck restraint and haven’t done for at least 20 years. In fact, all the training literature specifically points out the risks and inherent dangers of such a use of force and outlines why we would not do it.
From the initial foundation training of recruits and throughout an officers service, officers are warned to avoid grabbing or restraining subjects by the neck. Training delivery in the MPS always addresses “medical implications” following delivery of physical training. This is contained in lesson content and plans, where student officers attending training are expected to identify risks associated with a specific tactic.
When restraining a person on the ground, there is a technique that officers are taught which involves placing a knee on the shoulder of the person to assist with the restraint but importantly, no weight is applied to the persons head, neck or spine.
There may be exceptional circumstances where an officer who is involved in a violent struggle and fears for their, or another persons safety, may find it impossible to avoid applying pressure on a subjects neck. Officers are reminded, and should be aware of the inherent dangers of applying pressure to a neck, and although an officer is entitled to take any reasonable steps to protect themselves and others as with any other use of force, it must be reasonable in the circumstances, justified and accounted for.
All MPS officers attending officer safety training are being issued with an updated ‘quick reference card’ for the principles of Justify, Account and, Record (JAR). This approach is supported by the Directorate of Professional Standards and the MPS Officer Safety Unit.
I hope this answers the question and provides reassurance that the MPS do not teach any tactic that involves a knee against a persons neck.
