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Gov. Herbert announces choke-hold ban, special session on COVID-19 economic downturn

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SALT LAKE CITY - Utah Governor Gary Herbert announced a ban on the use of choke-holds by law enforcement officials within the Utah Department of Public Safety and the Utah Department of Corrections.

"Nobody should have fear of our police," Gov. Herbert said in a news conference Thursday.

His announcement on the choke-hold ban follows a similar announcement by SLCPD earlier this week. Law enforcement agencies around the country are re-evaluating their uses of force in the wake of George Floyd's death and subsequent protests.

Gov. Herbert also said he intends to call the Utah State Legislature for a special session to address the economic downturn as Utah continues to endure the COVID-19 pandemic.