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8/3/2020
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System's (SDMTS) security officers this week will begin testing a new use-of-force policy.
The new policy bans officers from using carotid restraints and chokeholds, including the prohibition of using knee pressure on a person's neck, throat or head. The policy also requires use of force to be proportional to the seriousness of the subject’s alleged offense; instructs officers to intervene if witnessing excessive force by another employee; and requires officers to give a warning to an individual prior to use of force.
“These reforms ... are another step in our effort to comprehensively restructure our approach to transit safety. We will continue working to ensure the dignity and safety for our passengers,” said SDMTS Chair Nathan Fletcher in a press release.
The policy changes will apply to 64 internal SDMTS Code Compliance inspectors and 158 contracted security officers.
SDMTS also is conducting a third-party audit of its security policies and procedures.