Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Donate your vehicle during the month of April or May and you'll be entered into a $500 Visa gift card drawing!

N.H. Senate Votes To Ban Police Chokeholds, Tighten Misconduct Reporting

The New Hampshire State House
NHPR

The state Senate voted 23-1 Tuesday to pass a sweeping bill that tightens some bail standards and outlaws the use of chokeholds by police in New Hampshire.

The bill also mandates that police officers report misconduct by fellow officers, and boosts access to psychological screening before officers are put on the job. Brookline Democratic Sen. Melanie Levesque said the bill's many provisions amount to progress.

"The language before you represents a step forward to not only improving our judicial system, but also for ensuring accountability and best practices within our law enforcement community,” she told her fellow senators before the vote on the bill.

The only senator to oppose the measure was Franconia Republican David Starr. Gov. Chris Sununu said Tuesday that he favors "banning the chokeholds" and would sign the bill quickly if it gets to his desk.

Josh has worked at NHPR since 2000.
Related Content

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.