Law Enforcement and Martial Arts Training.

Law Enforcement and Martial Arts Training

?In law enforcement, there is a governing set of rules pertaining to what action can and should be taken when defending oneself or affecting an arrest. These rules, at one time, were called the Use of Force Matrix. This Matrix outlines what techniques are permitted and legal for an officer’s response to resistance. In other words, this bible provides the parameters for techniques that will keep an officer out of trouble departmentally, criminally, or civilly. Now the use of force has been updated with a Supreme Court ruling called Graham v. Connor.

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After a technique is used, several forms and paperwork must be completed. These will articulate the justification and the success of what was done or what needed to improve.

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It was the stories of Don Buck, a true martial arts master and police officer, that influenced me to blend all my martial arts training with the training of law enforcement. Don was a San Francisco police officer and was a mentor to a generation of officers. Later in my law enforcement career, I had the opportunity to train under and teach one of the greatest defensive tactics masters, Joe Hess. Joe, a world champion in martial arts, has been responsible for the defensive tactics training for thousands of officers.

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While I loved traditional martial arts, I discovered that for combat on the street, while wearing all that police gear, some changes needed to be made. The real challenge came from developing quick and exacting techniques, as there are no referees or rounds in street combat. There is one round, and the winner takes all. Keeping in mind that in every confrontation a police officer has, there is at least one firearm present, the officer’s. So I added The Lindell handgun Retention training to my toolbox. I did not invent law enforcement rules and martial arts techniques, but I found that the blend always worked.

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Techniques like brachial stun or knee strikes to the common peroneal nerve replaced traditional strikes. Using leg sweeps, judo throws, and aikido joint locks become the cornerstone to success. Where the subject’s head goes, the body is sure to follow. As I got older, I loved having readily assessable pepper spray and a Taser. Since mechanical implements might fail, I had to look for ways to defend myself using pressure points and strikes to muscle groups. I used the judo philosophy of Maximum Efficiency and Minimum Effort. Ending physical conflicts quicker and with less stress on me.

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But the most important aspect of this relationship, martial arts training and law enforcement, was the proper warrior mindset. The discipline of daily hard training in martial arts created overwhelming confidence in one’s ability to use the correct technique, remain within the Use of Force matrix and the Graham v. Connor ruling, and end conflict with little injury to the subject. The subject’s resistance always dictates the pain and injury they receive. The mere presence of a combat-ready officer often stops any further aggression.

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I did not invent or recreate the wheel. I took what worked and used it. From this came command presence and confidence and the byproduct of officer survival.