Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Chokeholds Restricted But Not Banned Under New Justice Department Policy
NBC News: Feds Announce New Limits On Chokeholds And 'No-Knock' Warrants, But Don't Ban Them
The Justice Department on Tuesday announced new limits on chokeholds and no-knock warrants, but stopped short of banning the controversial law enforcement tactics that critics say have led to unnecessary deaths. Under the new policy, the department's law enforcement components, including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Marshals Service, are prohibited from using the tactics except when they believe doing so would save them from death or serious injury. (Dilanian, 9/14)
CNN: Justice Department Limits Use Of Chokeholds And 'No-Knock' Warrants
While the memo is directed at federal law enforcement agencies and does not mention high-profile deaths of civilians who died by the hands of local police officers, the Justice Department acknowledged that "the use of certain physical restraint techniques -- namely chokeholds and carotid restraints -- by some law enforcement agencies to incapacitate a resisting suspect has too often led to tragedy." The policy change affects federal agents, and local and state officers serving on federal task forces. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in a memo released Tuesday cited "the inherent dangerousness of chokeholds and carotid restraints," and said the DOJ relied on "feedback from our law enforcement components on these techniques." (Carrega and Nickeas, 9/14)
And the federal government is investigating the treatment of prisoners in Georgia —
The Washington Post: Justice Department Launches Probe Into Violence In Georgia’s Prisons
The Justice Department is launching an investigation into civil rights violations in Georgia prisons, focusing on prisoner-on-prisoner violence and the targeting of LGBT inmates by prisoners and staff, federal officials said Tuesday. The announcement comes after advocacy groups said deplorable conditions of confinement and escalating violence — including homicides and suicides — have only worsened during the coronavirus pandemic. It is part of civil rights initiatives by the Justice Department under the Biden administration to reform the nation’s law enforcement agencies and prisons. (Villegas, 9/14)
In other news about law and order —
NBC News: Miami Nurse Pleads Guilty To Threatening To Kill Vice President Kamala Harris
A Miami-area nurse pleaded guilty to threatening to kill Vice President Kamala Harris in videos sent to her imprisoned husband earlier this year, officials said. Niviane Petit Phelps, 39, who pleaded guilty Friday to six counts, faces up to five years in prison, prosecutors said. Sentencing is set for Nov. 19. (Helsel, 9/14)
Los Angeles Times: Riverside County Sheriff Won't Enforce COVID Vaccine Mandate
As President Biden escalates his administration’s efforts to require Americans to get vaccinated, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco says he will not enforce any vaccine mandates for Sheriff’s Department employees. Describing himself as “the last line of defense from tyrannical government overreach,” Bianco on Monday doubled down on statements he made during a Thursday episode of the department’s podcast, “RSO Roundup,” in which he said he believes vaccines are a personal choice. (Smith, 9/14)
Newsweek: N.J. Police Unions Still Oppose Vaccine Mandates As 22 Officers Die From COVID Last Week
Twenty-two police officers in New Jersey died from COVID-19 last week as police unions across the state continue their opposition of vaccine mandates. New Jersey State Police Superintendent Pat Callahan said during a virus briefing Monday that last week saw the most officer deaths in a single week years. In total, 23 officers died—22 of the deaths were related to the virus. (Stanton, 9/24)
