Is is regrettable the minister and the writer didn't observe first-hand an officer struggling to arrest a suspect and the officer restricted in what she/he can use to accomplish the task.
"In the heat of the moment, do we have accidental discharges of firearms? Yes. Do we have accidental discharges of conductive energy weapons? Yes. Can a carotid control technique go sideways and end up not being applied correctly? Yes.
RCMP Const. Elizabeth Flemister demonstrates the carotid control technique in a video for the National Police Federation. (National Police Federation/YouTube)
The hold can be applied in several ways. In the above demenstration the officer has leverage with her legs spread and pulling back. My training was similar but moving my right hip against him, flipping the suspect then dropping on him with my knee in his back. It had to be fast to maintain control.
I commend the RCMP for not reacting to the knee-jerk response so many departments chose after the tragedy with George Floyd's death.