Police Training

[Samurai Shotokan]

I was talking with a Police Officer who goes to my karate class. He said is that they dont really teach you any stuff like that just stuff like useing the gun,club ect but they dont make the police fighters. I dont know it maybe different in the U.S.

[Venrix]

The 'martial' needs of a police officer/security-guard/doorman/bouncer etc. are completely different to the needs of the average man on the street.

I have worked as a doorman, I have lived on the street, and I am about to suggest two martial arts:

1) Hapkido:

I don't practise it. But, the primary martial need of security personal is NOT fighting. Indeed, the target is to subdue one or more opponents. Hapkido focuses very heavily on 'standing submission'. Joint manipulation etc. Not the most effective form of 'self defense' by any means - but, a police officer is actually limited in his/her use of force.

A police officers goal in a violent conflict is: "Subdue and Apprehend."

2) Western Boxing:

Learn to throw a mean punch and learn to stay away from mean punches. Where multiple opponents are involved, or where the assailant is considerably stronger than you - you may be forced to become the aggressor in order to successfully defend. When that happens - strike and strike HARD.

Why am I not suggesting my own style?

Because, I practise a style that is based on 'street' confrontation. That is - where the combatants are obeying only the 'rules of the street'. We are unbound by the rules that a law enforcement officer is forced to follow. Our target is not apprehension. Our target (in order of preference):

1) Avoidance

2) Dissuasion

3) First Strike

4) Control, Disable.

Not entirely dissimilar but certainly more 'direct' than a police officer will ever be able to justify. When choosing a 'style' one must accept that the needs of the few may not be the same as the needs of the many.

The man on the street does not have the 'benefits' of backup, handcuffs, guns and a uniform that says 'laying a hand on me will likely land you in Jail'.

For the man on the street, 'subdue your opponent', is most likely not a viable option. For a police officer in a violent situtation - it is the single goal.

-V-

[Oopgrub]

Chainpunching him to damnation... lol!

[CapitalKarate]

Venrix nailed it, but I'm sure that no matter what your MA training is, if you're skillful enough, you'd be able to find a way to use what you've learned in a manner that would fit the police needs.

[Belasko]

I would recomend some kind of grappling style w/ submission techniques. The reason for this is that most physical encounters do go to the ground, however you are not allowed to use excessive force (whatever that may be for the situation). Having worked with a few law enforcement people at seminars and camps they seem to prefer the control tactics of Judo and Ju-Jitsu the most. One of the men that I worked with is grandmaster Stephen Jimmerfield. He use to work for the Alaska highway patrol and after his partner was murdered by a felon he developed a style for police, specifically for cold weather situations where you lose the dexterity of your fingers and hands. His techniques are truly impressive and highly effective while appearing to apply little effort (very important when others perceptions could mean charges against you). If you can get into a seminar he is at do it. He also sells a couple of books that he wrote. I can't remember his website but if you can find it to order his books I would highly recomend them both.

[Venrix]

I would recomend some kind of grappling style w/ submission techniques. The reason for this is that most physical encounters do go to the ground...

To be honest, I would very much advise against this (in the first instance). Yes, most fights go the ground but, we are not talking about figthing here.

Additionally, in any fight system - going to the ground is the LAST option. On the ground you become nothing more than a 'sitting duck' for multiple attackers.

Indeed, one should be aware of how to deal with the situation if FORCED to the ground. But, taking the fight to the ground on the street is a big, big mistake.

-V-

[Davison]

I recommend learning a japanese form of Jujutsu. As a police officer, I can tell you that there is isn't any one system of MA that is going to be more useful than one another. It is best to have a working knowledge of a little of everything. It really depends on the situation that the police officer encounters.

Most law enforcement personnal will keep a safe distance until he or she has to go hands on and remember,police officers are not paid to fight fair . Is comfortable as I am with my MA technique, 90 percent of the time I can avoid a physical confrontation but the other ten percent... I will use whatever force nessecary to stop a physical or life threatening situation. Its's called "totality of the circumstances"= circumstances dictate tatics. Whatever force you choose to use against a police officer, the police officer is authorized to use one step higher of force to maintain control of the situation.This is called the "control superiority rule". A man punches you-you use your OC spray or baton,A man has a stick or club of some sort and tries to hit you- and know you can hit him with 50,000 volts from a taser or you ultimatly can use your firearm to end the conflict. Eventually, you will end up on the ground with someone or even standing up fighting so find somthing to train in no matter what it is. It all will benefit you at some point in your career. All I know is my number one goal is to come home safe every night and i'll do whatever it takes for me to accomplish that goal.

[CapitalKarate]

Better to be judged by 12 than to be carried away by 6...

[topdawg]

I ve been a police officer for seven years and I think that it is important to learn both grappling(standing and on the ground) and striking. Although striking a subject can be frowned upon by some on lookers even if justified. But learning to strike can also have the benifit of learning to read the telegraphs that someone may be about to attemt to "chain punch you into damnation". Also I would recommend finding an instructor who has experience with law enforcent to help with things like weapon retention (Very Important) and use of force justification and testimony. just my two cents

[scottnshelly]

I am trying to get into Law Enforcement also, from what I've heard they don't really care about your previous training. If you tell them that you have 10 years of experience in every style and they wouldn't choose you over the next guy. They will teach you what they believe to be the most effective way of handling yourself on the street.

The Department will teach you how they want you to detain prisoners, rather than using something that they have not approved. It all relates to liability, I think.

The point is, if you get into a physical confrontation with someone while on duty and you use a Martial Art (we'll say Jiu Jitsu as that one has been suggested several times) you could get in some sort of trouble. They teach ways of detaining a subject without hurting him, rather than JJ that runs the risk of hurting someone in the process. They objective in JJ is to get the opponent to submit, usually through joint locks, choke holds, etc. The Law Enforcement's objective is to get the subject into handcuffs and in the back of the car.