Police in Townsville used a controversial neck hold, known as a lateral vascular neck restraint on a man who died in custody in 2018. The use of the neck hold by officers will be examined during a coronial inquest into the man's death, which is expected to begin in April. The hold is banned in a number of jurisdictions around the world, including other Australian states and territories. The practice came under scrutiny in the US last year, following the death of George Floyd, prompting several cities including Minneapolis, San Diego and Phoenix to ban the hold, and similar neck holds.