Bill Caption

Relating to the basic peace officer training course, including training for peace officers on the prohibition against the intentional use of certain neck restraints.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 831 would require the basic peace officer training course required as part of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) peace officer training program to be no less than 720 hours and to include training on the prohibition against the intentional use of a choke hold, carotid artery hold, or similar neck restraint by an officer in searching or arresting a person, unless the officer reasonably believes the restraint is necessary to prevent serious bodily injury to or the death of the officer or another person.

Vote Recommendation Notes

We support the extra training this bill would require which is consistent with limited government and would likely help law enforcement agencies and officers do a better job of serving the public while minimizing uses of force that end in tragedy.

We are concerned that the chokehold partial prohibition would may unintentionally lead to use of deadlier force. If officers are afraid to use a chokehold to restrain a violent criminal for fear of the blowback that may ensue, they may default to other potentially lethal uses of force instead.

Because we support some provisions of the bill while we are concerned about other provisions, Texas Action is neutral on HB 831.