Police departments across the USA implementing Jiu-Jitsu training through the “Adopt a Cop” program
With the light of attention now focused on police departments following public outcry over police violence, more and more agencies are recognizing that their cops require more training in how to contain and defuse conflicts. Not only for the safety of the general public but also for their own safety.
However, many police chiefs, have stated that training is essential for law enforcement. According to several police officials, cops don’t get nearly enough training. After completing the police academy coursework, it drops considerably and as any reader may assume, it is a perishable skill.
Yesterday, Dray Clark from Morning America spent some time in a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym in lower Manhattan where they have an “Adopt A Cop” program going on.
It’s a Jiu-Jitsu program for police officers who’re on patrol. They’re allowed to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for free until they’re a blue belt. What’s happening right now is that more and more police departments are implementing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into their police department training because research shows that it lessens the number of injuries when police officers are involved with the suspects who are combative.
The average police officer can go the entire career without firing a single shot, but they will all have to use their hands often. Sometimes as a means of direction, and sometimes to get an upper hand.
“We teach them how to use leverage instead of brute force” stated BJJ Black Belt and Instructor Brandon Adames.
He’s a certified black belt with decades of experience.in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts. He instructed dozens of police officers.
“If they feel like they need to go to a situation where they need to go with their hands-on they’ll go there with more confidence, fewer nerves, and less comprehension” Added Adames.
In Georgia, Jiu-Jitsu has become the main de-escalation tactic. in 2020, one year after the department started using Jiu-Jitsu in their training it reported a 48% reduction of police officers’ injuries, 53% reduction in arrestee injuries, and 23% reduction in taser use.
Still, most countries don’t require de-escalation training for Police officers, but the concept has call on with police departments across the country. More departments are interested but don’t have the funding which is why in Georgia the latest leisure has considered funding Jiu-Jitsu for every police department in the state.
Unfortunately, not everyone believes in the concept. NAACP and a Georgia Based human rights organization both see it as another tactic for officers to act like warriors eager to test out their new moves on suspects, while others say that evidence is overwhelming.
“Jiu-Jitsu belongs to law enforcement. Less violence, less injuries, means better policing” – stated Dray Clark
Right now there are many researchers looking out to check if Jiu-Jitsu is a real deal.
Check out the video below:
