BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Kern County Sheriff's Office announced it is suspending the use of the carotid control hold pending a thorough review of its policies and training.

Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood has said that KCSO has been reviewing its own policies and practices since the in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. He said this is common when an incident like this takes place, no matter where.

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the state police training program to stop teaching officers how to use the carotid control hold. Since then, some police departments have moved to end the use of the carotid hold all together.

The hold involves applying pressure to the sides of the neck with an arm. If blood is restricted too long it can cause serious injury or death.