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Death draws attention to police putting suspects face down

Alameda Police Department via AP

In this image taken from Alameda Police Department body camera video, Alameda Police Department officers attempt to take 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez into custody, April 19, 2021, in Alameda, Calif. The video goes on to show officers pinning Gonzalez to the ground during the arrest that ended in his death.<br/><br/>

By: Associated Press

Posted at 1:10 PM, May 03, 2021

and last updated 2021-05-03 16:10:04-04

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — It’s common practice for police around the U.S. to place combative suspects face down and press down on their backs with hands, elbows or knees to gain control. They aren’t supposed to do it for an “extended period” because that can lead to injuries or death.

The technique is in the spotlight after police video released last week showed officers in Northern California struggling with a man for more than five minutes as he lay face down.