Minneapolis Police use-of-force instructor says Derek Chauvin's kneeling is not a trained move - CNN

He acknowledged that some screen grabs of police body-camera footage show Chauvin with his knee on Floyd's shoulders.

"However, I will add that we tell officers to stay away from the neck when possible, and if you're going to use body weight to pin, to put it on their shoulder and be mindful of position," he said.

Mercil said that the position is transitory and is meant to end once the suspect is under control.

The testimony comes as a series of police supervisors and training officials have taken the stand to say that Chauvin violated department policies while restraining Floyd on May 25, 2020.

Foremost among them was Chief Medaria Arradondo, who on Monday thoroughly rejected Chauvin's decision to kneel on the neck of Floyd -- who was handcuffed and in a prone position -- for over 9 minutes.

"That in no way shape or form is anything that is by policy.

The testimony featured video from a bevy of cellphones, surveillance cameras and police body cameras; testimony from distressed bystanders; descriptions from paramedics and police supervisors who responded to the scene; and Chauvin's own statements about what happened.

Training coordinator emphasizes de-escalation

The training coordinator for the Minneapolis Police Department's crisis intervention program testified Tuesday about the importance of recognizing when someone is in crisis and de-escalating the situation.

"Policy requires that when it's safe and feasible, we should de-escalate," said Sgt.

"That's not what we train."

Last week, Chauvin's direct supervisor said his use of force should have ended earlier, and the department's top homicide detective testified that kneeling on Floyd's neck after he had been handcuffed was "totally unnecessary."

Passenger in Floyd's vehicle plans to plead Fifth

Morries Hall, who was in the car with Floyd when police first confronted them last May, appeared in court via Zoom on Tuesday prior to the jury arriving to discuss his intention to plead the Fifth if he is called to testify in the trial.

Both the prosecution and defense have called Hall as a witness.

Cousins said she was concerned Hall's testimony could be used in a drug or third-degree murder charge against him.

"This leaves Mr.