Jiu-Jitsu Training for Law Enforcement: A Research-Based Argument
Jiu-jitsu is a martial art that allows smaller, weaker opponents to defeat larger, stronger opponents using leverage. Law enforcement studies show that officers who lack training in joint/body manipulation and leverage will resort to striking, pepper spray, TASERs, or firearms; each of which could be less effective, ineffective, unsafe, disproportional, or an excessive force response (Hall, 2022; Kilbey, 2021).
A recent study found that a two-year jiu-jitsu training program for police officers resulted in:
* A 23 percent reduction in less-than-lethal weapon deployment by officers.
* A 48 percent decrease in officer injuries.
* A 53 percent reduction in injuries to the attacker/arrestee.
* A 59 percent decrease in overall use-of-force by the jiu-jitsu-trained officers (Brown, 2021).
Data gathered after a four-year jiu-jitsu training program for police officers found:
* A 37 percent reduction in use of force incidents.
* A 68 percent reduction in officers using strikes.
* A 51 percent reduction in the deployment of pepper spray.
* A 39 percent reduction in TASER deployment.
* A 44 percent reduction in injuries to attacker/arrestees.
* A 25 percent reduction in injuries to officers.
Interestingly, during the study there was a 29 percent increase in aggression toward officers, yet a decrease in the officers’ force response (Gottfried, 2021).
Another study found that 78 percent of the law enforcement officers who train jiu-jitsu utilized grappling techniques to save their lives or prevent serious bodily injury. In 75 percent of situations where grappling techniques were utilized against a violent subject, officers reported no harm to the subject (Kay, 2020).
Experts conclude these findings are the result of officers feeling more confident and less frightened (Hall, 2022). Tyson Kilbey, a 25-year veteran law enforcement officer and Police1 columnist, adds that problem-solving under pressure, a predominant theme of jiu-jitsu training, allows officers to effectively deal with difficult situations outside of the mat room (Kilbey, 2022).
The instructors at Jiu Jitsu Five-O, an organization operated entirely by law enforcement officers, believe jiu-jitsu training will better prepare officers for an attack, as officers learn realistic, safe, and efficient self-defense techniques. They believe jiu-jitsu offers wellness benefits such as improved confidence, the sense of community and belonging, improved physical and mental health, and a lifetime of learning (Jiu Jitsu Five-O, 2023).
Sufficient evidence exists to encourage everyone to train jiu-jitsu, especially law enforcement officers, because of the benefits to the public, the officers, and the law enforcement agencies that promote the training.
About the Author
Professor Brian Bowers is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Professor Chris Popdan with over 13 years of experience. He is the professor of The Hangout Jiu-Jitsu Club in Indianapolis, Indiana, and a coach at the Franklin, Indiana, Jiu-Jitsu Club. Brian is a federal law enforcement officer and a physical tactics and firearms instructor for his agency. He was also a firearm, physical tactics, and search and seizure instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, where he continues to serve as an adjunct instructor.
Having personally relied on jiu-jitsu techniques to protect his life, Brian advocates jiu-jitsu as essential knowledge for all law enforcement personnel. His dedication to this cause is evident in his involvement with the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association 111 Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to the safety of law enforcement personnel through support, education, training, and information sharing.
Brian's commitment to his students goes beyond the mat. With a Master of Science in Business Management, he leverages his formal education to cultivate deep, meaningful relationships with his students. His selfless dedication to serving their needs is evident in his use of research from psychology and neuroscience to optimize learning in any discipline he teaches. Brian uses science-based principles to educate jiu-jitsu practitioners, law enforcement students, law enforcement instructors, and jiu-jitsu instructors through The Hangout Journal.
References
Browne, B. (2021). How police can add jiu-jitsu to use of force training. Police1.
Gottfried, M. H. (2021). St. Paul police credit jiu-jitsu training for reducing injuries and excessive force settlements. Twin Cities.
Hall, M. (2022). Is Brazilian jiujitsu making policing safer for everyone. NewsNation.
Jiu Jitsu Five-O. (2023). Why cops should start training jiu jitsu in 2024. Jiu Jitsu Five-O.
Kay, A. (2020, February 7). Invictus Leo Jiu Jitsu Collective: How Jiu Jitsu is Saving Lives in Law Enforcement- A Research Paper. Invictus Leo Jiu Jitsu Collective.
Kilbey, T. (2021). Why police should train in jiu-jitsu and striking-based systems. Police1.
Kilbey, T. (2022). The benefits of jiu-jitsu beyond technique. Police1.
