Police officers should use least amount of force possible, MPD trainer says in Chauvin trial

A use of force trainer for the Minneapolis Police Department testified in the Derek Chauvin trial Tuesday that officers should use the least amount of force possible to restrain a suspect and avoid placing pressure on their neck.

Lt. Johnny Mercil added that an officer should stop kneeling on a suspect once they are handcuffed and no longer resisting. Several other members of the department have testified so far, including Chief Medaria Arradondo, who said Monday that Chauvin violated police policy, training and ethics when he knelt on Floyd’s neck.

Other Minneapolis police trainers as well as a use of force expert from the Los Angeles Police Department also testified Tuesday.

When shown a photo of Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd’s neck, Mercil said that is not a Minneapolis police trained neck restraint. When asked by prosecutors if the force would be authorized if the subject was under control and handcuffed, Mercil said, “I would say no.”

Chauvin, who is white, is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for the Memorial Day incident. Floyd, who is Black, was arrested after he allegedly attempted to pass a counterfeit $20 bill at Cup Foods, a corner market in Minneapolis.

According to prosecutors, Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds while Floyd was handcuffed and pinned to the ground. Widely circulated video of his death sparked protests and rioting in the Twin Cities and elsewhere along with an international reckoning on the relationship between police and people of color.

USE OF FORCE TRAINER: FORCE MUST BE REASONABLE, LOWEST AMOUNT POSSIBLE

Mercil, who trains Minneapolis police on use of force, said officers should use the least amount of force possible to control someone, and once they get control, they should de-escalate their restraint.

Mercil said neck restraints can only be used if an individual is actively resisting or actively aggressive, depending on the type of restraint used. They cannot be used if they are passively resisting.

The sanctity of life is important in regards to use of force, Mercil said, and the force used should be reasonable. Mercil added that the head and neck are areas of the body more prone to injury, and that officers are trained to use caution when applying force there.

Eric Nelson, Chauvin’s attorney, showed Mercil the photo of Chauvin on Floyd during the May 25 arrest, and asked him to confirm that it’s not a Minneapolis police trained use of force.

After Mercil agreed, Nelson asked if it could be another type of training. Mercil said it could, but emphasized that officers are instructed to avoid putting pressure on the neck or head as those areas of the body are more prone to injury.

Mercil agreed with Nelson that situations can evolve in seconds, and that a crowd yelling insults at an officer could affect their thinking.

Prosecutor Steve Schleicher asked Mercil if officers should reconsider their use of force if bystanders are yelling at the officer that they are killing the suspect. Mercil said yes.

LAPD USE OF FORCE EXPERT CALLS CHAUVIN’S RESTRAINT ‘EXCESSIVE’

Sgt. Jody Stiger, a use of force expert from the Los Angeles Police Department, was hired by the prosecution to conduct a review of the case. Stiger said the force Chauvin used was “excessive,” based on that review.

Stiger said once Floyd was placed on the ground and stopped resisting, the force should have stopped.

Stiger added that, usually, the offense of using a counterfeit bill would not require any force to be used at all. He said the only active aggression that he saw from Floyd was when he kicked one of the officers.

When the officers were trying to get Floyd into the squad car, Stiger said they should have tried to continue to verbalize with him and get him to comply.

Court adjourned abruptly Tuesday afternoon during Stiger’s testimony. The defense has not cross-examined him yet.

OTHER MPD TRAINERS TESTIFY ABOUT MEDICAL, CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING

Meanwhile, Nicole Mackenzie, a Minneapolis police officer who is also the department’s medical support coordinator, testified earlier Tuesday about the medical and first aid training officers received.

Both the prosecution and defense asked Mackenzie about the CPR and Narcan training officers undergo. Mackenzie said that under the department’s policy, officers are required to call for an ambulance or emergency medical services if someone needs it or requests it. Officers also are required to administer medical aid themselves if needed.

Mackenzie said if someone does not have a pulse, police need to call an ambulance and begin administering CPR immediately. She added that even if someone is able to talk, they may not be breathing adequately.

Nelson asked Mackenzie if an angry or violent crowd could affect an officer’s ability to give medical care. Mackenzie said it could. Nelson also asked Mackenzie about the Narcan training officers receive, and asked if fentanyl overdoses are on the rise. Mackenzie said they are.

Mackenzie will testify during the trial again at a later date when the defense presents their case.

MPD OFFICER WHO TRAINS POLICE ON CRISIS INTERVENTION TESTIFIES

Minneapolis police Sgt. Ker Yang, who trains officers on crisis intervention methods and critical decision making, also testified Tuesday.

Yang frequently referenced the department’s critical decision making model, and said officers should continuously re-evaluate the situation and their actions. He said some situations evolve quickly, but for the most part, officers can slow down time and decide what to do next.

Nelson asked Yang if officers should take in their surroundings, including a crowd, and determine what is safe to do next. Yang agreed.

Schleicher asked Yang if someone in medical distress would be more concerning to an officer than someone filming them. Yang agreed.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2Q6d5eI