State Legislature hears testimony on vascular neck restraint use

OLYMPIA, Wash. — A bill in front of the state Legislature would expand the use of vascular neck restraints by law enforcement officers.

Sakara Remmu of the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance told the Senate Law and Justice Committee that the bill would likely expand the use of excessive force by law officers in the state.

Numerous law enforcement officials testified that vascular neck restraints have been used safely for decades and are much safer than other forms of restraining suspects who are fighting with law officers.

The committee heard testimony but took no action on the bill, which calls for developing a statewide written policy for training in the use of vascular neck restraints by June of next year.