As a European I learned in metric. When I first learned pounds, it was as the imperial system's equivalent of grams and a conversion factor was given. Force in physics class was taught in Newtons (kg*m/s^2).
Pounds as a mass unit are perverse enough. Things like pound force and psi (pounds per square inch) were used only to make fun of old mechanics papers and textbooks. Also, btu. It is quite amazing actually that someone would see the SI and think “no, too simple; I’ll keep my pounds, ounces, inches, and feet”.
Anyway, yes, the proper unit of force is the Newton.
