It would take a paradigm shift in the policy of the department.

Well, according to the NYPD’s own manual they are not supposed to use chokeholds.

An excerpt of the police officers manual for the NYPD regarding chokeholds:

“Members of the New York City Police Department will NOT use chokeholds. A chokehold shall include, but is not limited to, any pressure to the throat or windpipe, which may prevent or hinder breathing or reduce intake of air.”

So…this must have been some kind of specialized training not covered in the manual where officer “fist-a-cuffs” learned to use this. This is not a street fight, nor is it an MMA or Krav Naga bout – the people the police deal with come with their own set of issues. Some of those issues are mental, some of those issues are physical, like having a heart condition, or asthma, etc, etc. The safekeeping function, protection of the public – is paramount – we should not accept situations like this. You see the video, this man was not an imminent threat, he just did not submit to their show of authority quickly enough, or obediently enough. Is that reason enough to cut off someones air supply by applying force to their larynx? Maybe argue that point if the guy was muscled up, or all hopped up on drugs and throwing hay-makers in their direction, but not here. This type of behavior has to stop. Now, thanks to the police unions, this guy will probably go on p[aid vacation before he is issued a reprimand and sent back out on the streets.

Another this evening on the news

http://www.myfoxny.com/story/26098169/new-video-shows-nypd-cop-putting-man-in-choke-hold

I hope these are the exceptions.