The policeman also did not have his other arm behind the neck of the suspect. A chokehold is used to cut off the blood flow to the brain, so the second arm is needed to apply pressure at the back of the neck. The hold the policeman used had an arm around the front of his neck and the other arm was not applied. His hands were interlocked.
And I notice the arm in front has the palm of the hand facing outward. Also, when the officer initially put the restraint on Garner his right arm was hooked under Garner's armpit.
I believe you are trying to agree with my premise. It’s my take you get a hold on this guy that is solid so you can’t be shaken off. You use a short guy to do it, so that all his weight transfers to the perp’s upper body. He gets top-heavy and is easier to take down.
You are describing a submission hold. Choke holds asphyxiate.