NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) —The Metro Nashville Police Department has now banned chokeholds.
At Mayor Cooper's request, MNPD updated this policy to "expressly prohibit" chokeholds. It's all part of the #8cantwait movement which focuses on principles and police policies, which MNPD said they embrace. Chokeholds are prohibited by Tennessee law under most circumstances and Metro Police does not train on the technique, which hasn't been allowed for decades.
Cooper said MNPD has now "clarified and strengthened this prohibition" and its been disseminated to all officers.
“Our police department embraces the principles put forward in #8cantwait, as reflected in a policy comparison we completed late last week,” said Chief Steve Anderson. “We will continue to review, improve and strengthen the policies that guide our officers.”
MNPD also updated its use of force policy to "further clarify" an officer's duty to intervene if they observe any MNPD member engaged in an improper or unlawful act, including excessive force, abuses of process, abuses of authority, or violations of department policies.
Metro Police report de-escalation is and remains a fundamental element of training and policy. Metro Police released a full review of the #8cantwait principles here
“Today we take the important step of MNPD clarifying and strengthening its prohibition on chokeholds and its duty to intervene policies,” said Mayor Cooper. “These actions are important for our city, and they are two clear next steps. As part of the My Brother’s Keeper pledge, we will engage the community and assemble a committee to review all use of force protocols and policies.”
Mayor Cooper also announced Monday that he's assembling a commission to review police use of force and use of force policies. Draft recommendations will be submitted to public for feedback, then passed onto Metro Police. Cooper reached out to Community Oversight Board to seek an independent review, he said.