Queensland police discontinue Lateral Vascular Neck Restraint

The Queensland Police Service has announced that officers will discontinue the use of the controversial Lateral Vascular Neck Restraint (LVNR) technique as a Use of Force option for all officers, effective immediately.

A final decision by the Commissioner was made today following a 12-month organisational review into the technique used by officers when applying force in high-risk situations.

The Commissioner implemented a working group in 2022 to carefully examine a range of considerations surrounding the use of the LVNR for officers.

The working group consisted of subject matter experts and external representatives from the Queensland Police Union of Employees, Crime and Corruption Commission, and a recognised medical expert from the Queensland Ambulance Service.

Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the decision was made following consideration of a range of evidence and information compiled over several months. ‘The QPS is committed to enhancing our practices to ensure we are delivering high quality policing services to the community we proudly serve,’ shel said.

Having reviewed a range of evidence and information presented to me, I have made the decision to discontinue the use of the LVNR from the QPS Use of Force Model and no longer include the technique in our operational skills training.

Options to apply force have increased

‘While it has been available to officers for a long time in Queensland, the options for officers to apply force in challenging and life-threatening situations have increased and broadened since its introduction over 30 years ago.

Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the decision aligns Queensland with all other Australian policing jurisdictions who no longer use the technique.

‘I thank the working group for their efforts in researching this issue over several months, including our external members who also provided their important contribution in the process.’

The QPS is immediately updating its Operational Skills Training packages to reflect the updated Use of Force Model.