Colorado ban on police chokeholds nearing approval
A ban on police chokeholds is nearing approval in the Colorado Legislature, a year after Republicans blocked attempts to ban the procedure.
A chokehold ban cleared a Republican Senate committee 4-0 Monday.
The change of heart by ruling Republicans comes because the ban has been changed to allow police officers to use a chokehold if they are threatened with bodily injury. Last year’s ban had a narrower exemption for when police could use the procedure.
A representative from a statewide police group testified that chokeholds aren’t taught and that the latest ban includes enough protection for officers trying to defend themselves.
Senators are also considering other police oversight measures Monday. They include an expansion of the ban on racial profiling to include sexual identity and other aspects.
