Use of force by peace officer: Prohibited acts; requirement to ensure medical aid rendered to person injured.

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1. In carrying out his or her duties, a peace officer shall not use a choke hold on another person.

2. A peace officer shall not place a person who is in the custody of the peace officer in any position which compresses his or her airway or restricts his or her ability to breathe. A peace officer shall monitor any person who is in the custody of the peace officer for any signs of distress and shall take any actions necessary to place such a person in a recovery position if he or she appears to be in distress or indicates that he or she cannot breathe.

3. If a peace officer, in carrying out his or her duties, uses physical force on another person, the peace officer shall ensure that medical aid is rendered to any person who is injured by the use of such physical force as soon as practicable.

4. As used in this section:

(a) "Choke hold" means:

(1) A method by which a person applies sufficient pressure to another person to make breathing difficult or impossible, including, without limitation, any pressure to the neck, throat or windpipe that may prevent or hinder breathing or reduce intake of air; or

(2) Applying pressure to a person’s neck on either side of the windpipe, but not the windpipe itself, to stop the flow of blood to the brain via the carotid arteries.

(b) "Peace officer" means any person upon whom some or all of the powers of a peace officer are conferred pursuant to NRS 289.150 to 289.360, inclusive.

(c) "Physical force" means the application of physical techniques, chemical agents or weapons to another person.

(Added to NRS by 2020, 32nd Special Session, 70)


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