Which of the following best describes the chokehold's permissible use?

The permissible use of chokeholds is fundamentally tied to the concept of reasonable force and the necessity to prevent immediate threats. The correct answer emphasizes that the use of a chokehold is allowed only when deadly force is justified. This means that a chokehold, which can potentially restrict airflow and lead to serious injury or death, is only appropriate when there is a clear and imminent threat to an officer or others that cannot be mitigated through less lethal means. In other words, officers must assess the situation and determine that the use of a chokehold is absolutely necessary to prevent a significant harm or death, aligning with the principles of proportionality in use of force.

The other options suggest scenarios where the use of chokeholds could be misapplied or normalized, which is detrimental to proper law enforcement practices. For instance, stating that chokeholds are always allowed for control would promote an overly aggressive approach to policing that could result in unnecessary harm. If chokeholds were considered a first response, it would imply that such a level of force is acceptable at the onset of an encounter, disregarding the need for de-escalation and alternative control tactics. Conversely, categorizing chokeholds as always non-lethal fails to recognize the serious risks associated with their use, leading to