Since the death of George Floyd in Minnesota, police departments across the nation have looked at their use-of-force policies.
Officer Derek Chauvin held his knee to the neck of Floyd for almost nine minutes and has been charged with murder.
That introspective thinking has applied to Metro Nashville, as Mayor John Cooper altered the police department's policies this week. It's also meant agencies in Williamson County have taken another look at their policies.
More: Nashville mayor addresses police chokeholds, officer intervention in policy announcement
Here's what the policies are and how the departments use them.
Franklin Police Department
Any chokeholds (trachea holds), neck restraints and neck strangling holds are prohibited, according to the Franklin Police Department use-of-force policy.
"This is critical to our accreditation and our ongoing training," FPD Chief Deborah Faulkner said. "We do not teach chokeholds. They are prohibited by policy. We do require deescalation techniques training, and that's in our policy. Officers have to identify themselves and give warning before they use deadly force."
More: Franklin police answers to public about policy on use of force, biased-policing, body cameras
The policy also spells out that any lateral vascular neck restraint maneuver, or other similar neck respiratory restraining or blood flow restricting maneuvers — with or without the use of a device/object — is also forbidden.
Williamson County Sheriff's Office
Per the wording of the 14-page policy, deputies can use a chokehold as a last resort.
"The policy classifies use of a chokehold as deadly force and prohibits it in all cases except where deadly force is necessary and justified and other methods of restraint are ineffective," Williamson County attorney Lisa Carson said. "Use of a chokehold by a WCSO deputy is prohibited in all cases unless it is the only option available to the deputy to protect him/herself or another person from immediate risk of death or serious bodily injury."
Deputies are requested to start with the lowest level of force appropriate, but the policy states that higher use could become necessary depending on the situation.
It also warns officers that emotionally unstable people might not readily respond to commands.
"Authorized employees should make every reasonable effort to avoid language or behavior which will escalate the level of conflict," the policy states. "However this shouldn't be interpreted to impose any additional restrictions on the force options available to a deputy when such action is necessary."
Brentwood Police Department
The only time a chokehold is allowed in Brentwood is during a situation in which deadly force is warranted.
"The lateral carotid restraint, choke-holds, and similar weaponless control techniques which have the potential to cause death or serious bodily injury are not to be used by department personnel except in situations where deadly force would be justified," the policy states.
A hard impact weapon can't be used for a chokehold except in situations where deadly force would be justified, according to the policy.
"We are currently looking at the wording of this policy to see if we need to make any changes," Capt. Richard Hickey said. "We also hope to have a link to all our general orders on our website very soon so everyone can see our policies."
Spring Hill Police Department
The Spring Hill Police Department doesn't use chokeholds to simply restrain a subject, public information officer Lt. Justin Whitwell said.
"The lateral vascular neck restraint, lateral carotid restraint, or any respiratory restraining maneuver (choke hold) shall not be used unless the use of deadly force is authorized by this general order," the policy states.
The policy also says officers should warn a suspect that deadly force would happen prior to an officer using it.
Kerri Bartlett contributed to this report.
Emily West is a reporter for The Tennessean, covering Brentwood, Franklin and Williamson County. Follow her on Twitter at @emwest22 and email her at erwest@tennessean.com.
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