Criminal Justice Reform: Choke Holds, Carotid Holds, and Use of Force (Case Studies in Criminal Justice Reform)

Adapted from Criminal Justice Reform: From Arrest to Bail Decisions, this mini-book offers a gripping and critically important case study focused on police use of choke holds and carotid restraints. It is part of a nine-book series designed to support short-form, classroom-friendly engagement with key reform topics across the American criminal justice system. This volume centers on the tragic 2020 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who used a neck restraint that violated departmental and constitutional use-of-force policies. The case became a watershed moment for national conversations on race, policing, and public accountability. Using a powerful blend of narrative and evidence, this book unpacks the history, legality, and policy debate surrounding choke holds and carotid restraints—including how use-of-force protocols vary across departments and what reform measures are gaining traction. Each volume in the series includes: A true, narrative-driven account of a recent high-profile incident, in this case, the death of George Floyd; A plain-language explanation of the law and police policies regarding use of force during arrest; A summary of relevant social science research related to force escalation, civil rights, and systemic bias; A clear-eyed discussion of proposed reforms, including outright bans on specific neck restraints and greater oversight; Discussion questions and engagement ideas for civic action, divided into low-, moderate-, and high-level pathways for students and community members. This concise, focused case study is ideally suited to support a 1–3 class unit on policing reform or as a standalone resource for community discussions, legal education, and advocacy. View Less