The prosecution maintained its focus on former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin breaking with departmental policy when he restrained George Floyd last May in its questioning of a use-of-force instructor.
“We don’t train leg-neck restraints,” Minneapolis Police Department Lt. Johnny Mercil told the court on Tuesday. “As far as my knowledge, we never have.”
DEATH AND ‘AUTONOMOUS ZONE’ GRIP GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE AHEAD OF CHAUVIN TRIAL
Mercil acknowledged that officers are trained to use some neck restraints to subdue suspects, however, he said Chauvin’s decision to keep his knee on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes is never taught to officers.
“So, if there was, say, for example, the subject was under control and handcuffed, would this be authorized?” prosecutor Steve Schleicher asked Mercil.
“I would say no,” he said, adding that officers are instructed to use the “least amount of force necessary” against suspects.
The exchange highlighted the city’s strategy against Chauvin. Since the beginning of the trial last week, prosecutors have interviewed several experts and witnesses who sharply criticized Chauvin’s restraint technique against Floyd.
Chauvin’s defense maintains that Floyd’s drug use and opioid addiction were responsible for his death.
On Monday, Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo testified that Chauvin broke department protocol during his arrest of Floyd.
“[Chauvin’s] action[s were not] de-escalation, and when we talk about the framework of the sanctity of life and principles and values, that action goes contrary to what we’re taught … [and] should be condoned. … Once there was no longer any resistance, and clearly, after, Floyd was no longer responsive and even motionless,” he told the court. “To continue to apply that level of force to a person proned out, handcuffed … that in no way, shape, or form is policy.”
Minnesota banned officers from using chokeholds after Floyd’s death.
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Chauvin faces two charges of murder and one charge of manslaughter. Tuesday marked the sixth day of a trial expected to go on for at least four weeks.
