As the nation continues to grapple with issues of police brutality and excessive use of force, doctors are speaking out against one particularly dangerous tactic: the chokehold. With recent high-profile cases such as the death of George Floyd bringing renewed attention to the issue, medical professionals are calling for a complete ban on the use of chokeholds by law enforcement.

Chokeholds involve applying pressure to the neck, which can restrict blood flow and oxygen to the brain, leading to unconsciousness or even death. The American Medical Association has declared that chokeholds are “inherently dangerous and have no place in modern policing.” Despite this, some law enforcement agencies continue to use chokeholds as a means of subduing suspects, leading to a number of deaths and serious injuries.

Medical professionals warn that the use of chokeholds can have serious and potentially deadly consequences, particularly when applied to individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or those who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The risks associated with the use of chokeholds are simply too great to justify their continued use, say doctors.

In addition to the medical risks, the use of chokeholds raises ethical concerns as well. The disproportionate use of force against communities of color has led to widespread mistrust of law enforcement, and the use of potentially deadly tactics like chokeholds only exacerbates this problem. The ethical standards that govern law enforcement require that force be used only as a last resort, and only when necessary to protect the safety of officers or others.

The deaths of George Floyd, Eric Garner, and other victims of police brutality have brought the issue of chokeholds to the forefront of national discussion. Medical professionals and activists alike are calling for stricter regulations and training for law enforcement officers to prevent the unnecessary use of force and to protect the lives of civilians.

Many states and municipalities have taken steps to ban the use of chokeholds by law enforcement officers, including New York State’s Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the use of chokeholds is banned nationwide.

The urgent message from doctors is clear: chokeholds are a grave danger that must be banned. Medical professionals warn that the use of these tactics can have serious and potentially deadly consequences, and the ethical standards that govern law enforcement require that force be used only when necessary to protect the safety of officers or others.

As the nation continues to reckon with issues of police brutality and systemic racism, it is crucial that policymakers and law enforcement officials listen to the urgent message from doctors and take action to ban the use of chokeholds. Only by working together to create safer and more just communities can we begin to address the systemic issues that have led to the use of excessive force by law enforcement officers.