California Bans Police Use of Carotid Restraint Techniques, Chokeholds

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed a number of police reform bills that ban chokeholds and carotid restraint techniques and allow the state's Justice Department (DOJ) to probe police shootings.

AB 1506 will establish an investigative unit within the state Justice Department that will allow officials to look into officer-involved shootings upon the request of law enforcement or attorneys, Fox News reports.

AB 846 will require law enforcement agencies to determine whether prospective officers have biases against race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation and other characteristics in an effort to proactively eliminate discrimination.