If he needs to do that to handle an inebriated girl what’s he going to do when he has to deal with big angry guy?
I do not think it is so much “need” as force of habit. When they train take downs, the police often use each other as practice dummies. So his body, his muscle memory, is set for another 180 lb man. It is very hard to roll back muscle memory.
I am of the opinion that he should have first escalated to a wrist lock and joint manipulation to gain compliance.