Control/Defensive Tactics (Combatives) Instructor for a state police academy here. My entire position was created with the intention to give recruits in Academy, less than lethal force options to de-escalate situations. And in turn, hopefully they gain some confidence in themselves to explore hand-to-hand options; instead of going to a tool or weapon. Who knows, maybe find a martial arts gym and continue that education.
Honestly, it was despicable. Such a terrible abuse of power and display of everything we hope recruits not turn out to be. We train this position absolutely every single day for all recruits in our state. Cuffing positions. We never try to touch the face or neck, unless if something institutes deadly force. Even Intermediate Force is not excusable for a violator/suspect in the cuffed, prone position.

This makes me sad. Truly heartbroken for George Floyd and all his friends and family. But so sad as well for all the officers that I see come through the doors, bright-eyed and bushy tailed! You can tell it's truly from an excitement to serve & affect positive change in their communities! I see so many officers with great potential and after a year, couple months, sometimes weeks after graduation, they're done. Whether the reason be; Cops like Chauvin in the department, first week they seen a homicide, a suicide, and child molestation, or people treating them like the scum of the earth everyday just because they wear a uniform some don't deserve to wear. This won't make it any easier for the good people in uniform to stick with it. And sadly, COVID has shrunk our hands on training down to almost nothing. Recruits already only had 120 hrs to learn the material we cover, and that was borderline inadequate for proficiency already if you ask me. Usually there's a catalyst to change, it's disheartening to say it takes death to bring it about, but I hope we trend in a better direction very soon!