Annual Report 2015 someone resists. Police officials need to make use of adequate physical techniques to gain compliance of someone effectively and proportionally. The neck hold is one such technique. The neck hold involves grasping someone by the neck with the arm. Police officials often use the neck hold to gain compliance of someone in daily practice. It is an efficient technique that involves few risks, provided it is used properly. However, if an official holds someone by the neck with their arm, they may also start to choke that person, compressing either the windpipe or both carotid arteries. This does carry some risk, as the neck is a vulnerable part of the body. The Inspectorate in 2015 conducted a general investigation into the use of the neck hold and into the training of staff in the use of choking techniques to gain compliance of someone. The investigation showed that neither the Police, nor the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee or the Custodial Institutions Agency include a choke hold in their training curriculum. However, some trainers do teach such a hold in practice. And some officials do use them in daily practice. The Inspectorate VenJ calls upon the organisations investigated to take a clear stance on the use of choke holds. If they believe their use to be unnecessary in practice, such holds may not be taught or used. If they do believe their use to be necessary, such holds must be taught and used properly. The Inspectorate VenJ is of the view that the neck hold must continue to be allowed as a technique to gain compliance. The Police, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee and the Custodial Institutions Agency do need to take a stance on using the neck hold as a choke hold and implement this position in their training practice. 23 Table of Cont