LEO's: If you can suggest one form of martial arts, what would it be?

[!xobile]

Which form of martial arts would benefit a police officer most in an attack of an assailant? I know there are stance, ground, grappling, and other types of combat, but if you could suggest only one what would it be and why?
I been watching random videos on youtube and other media sources where I seen officers get into furious combats with people over traffic stops, felony stops, resisting arresting, etc.

 

[Entoptic]

Which form of martial arts would benefit a police officer most in an attack of an assailant? I know there are stance, ground, grappling, and other types of combat, but if you could suggest only one what would it be and why?
I been watching random videos on youtube and other media sources where I seen officers get into furious combats with people over traffic stops, felony stops, resisting arresting, etc.

I am no LEO but I would suggest Kempo and Judo for throws and breaks, jui jitsu for locks and my all time favorite Krav Maga for just all out beat down riot situations.

Savate is very nice as well but I don't think it would apply for LEO style fighting.

I know that Krav Maga is starting to makes it way into USA law enforcement however I don't know the impact of it.

 

[motorman4life]

For Law Enforcement uses, Akido is universally considered the best all-around defensive martial arts discipline. Krav Magna is a much more offensive discipline that has gained popularity of late, but it is more for aggressive cage-fighting, submission and "tap-out" type venues where you have a one-on-one, close combat situation involving you and one determined attacker.

That is my opinion. Many consider Akido to be "old school" and too conservative an art, but I believe it has proven to be the best for civilian law enforcement, whether on the streets or in a custodial (jail/prison) environment where you are likely to encounter multiple attackers with a variety of weapons and techniques and your goal is to neutralize the threats and reduce damage/exposure while conserving your energy and protecting your vital areas and equipment.

 

[Entoptic]

For Law Enforcement uses, Akido is universally considered the best all-around defensive martial arts discipline. Krav Magna is a much more offensive discipline that has gained popularity of late, but it is more for aggressive cage-fighting, submission and "tap-out" type venues where you have a one-on-one, close combat situation involving you and one determined attacker.

That is my opinion. Many consider Akido to be "old school" and too conservative an art, but I believe it has proven to be the best for civilian law enforcement, whether on the streets or in a custodial (jail/prison) environment where you are likely to encounter multiple attackers with a variety of weapons and techniques and your goal is to neutralize the threats and reduce damage/exposure while conserving your energy and protecting your vital areas and equipment.

However Krav maga is mostly seen in cage fights but it's origin is from warfare and it teaches you situational awerness and is designed to take on multiple attackers.

Lol I meant to say akido and not kempo. My bad!

 

[anz grim reaper]

I am a Federal LEO and we were taught Krav maga and Brazilian jui jitsu. I think the Krav maga helps more than anything. for are final day of training we had to take on five of are instructors and the krav maga helped

 

[Dean129]

BJJ is what I take.

My .02 Cents

 

[Mangoat]

WOOSHAA!!!!

 

[SPeeDFAN]

Akido is a good style for law enforcement. Many of our dept's approved techniques are based on the principle of Akido. But Akido is such a complex art to master.

Ju Jitsu is also a good style since most of the fights end up on the ground.

The Chinese style "Chin Na" is also a good style since it is all joint locking and take downs. But it takes years of practice to be good at it.

Kick boxing and Tae Kwon Do on the other hand are more simple and easier to pick up, but our dept does not approve punches or kicks at this time.

So my personal recommendation for someone new getting into law enforrcement is to pick up Ju Jitsu. But if you have the time and resourcces, train with a good Akido master and a Chin Na sifu.

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

Not an LEO but,

Aikido and KM mixed together are a great combo. Aikido teaches defensive tactics against multiple targets which is often enough. Aikido focuses on using your assailants momentum and energy against them. The KM kicks in when you have a determined opponent who shows no sign of breaking off their engagement. KM puts the smack don when required.

It's simply an escalation of force as the situation requires/necessitates. IMO you always want the fight over ASAP with as little damage to yourself and your assailant as possible.

On a side note I think learning how to fall is the greatest skill I've taken away from my martial arts training. Be it from a motorcycle or a barstool, knowing how to go down while minimizing damage is a good thing.

 

[JPM]

I have no personal experience since I went to the old fashion school of hard knocks. I pepper spray, still use a straight stick, and have been know to use a good fist or two.
But most of the guys I know do the ground fighting because its good hands on fighting.

 

[silversvs]

Akido

But, the best martial art is the art of communication. I can talk just about anyone into a pair of handcuffs. It may mean that I take a bit more verbal abuse, or have to spend an extra couple of minutes, but in most cases I don't have to go hands on very often.

 

[Shaggy]

I have no personal experience since I went to the old fashion school of hard knocks. I pepper spray, still use a straight stick, and have been know to use a good fist or two.
But most of the guys I know do the ground fighting because its good hands on fighting.

+1. I was going to suggest Okiekwondo.

 

[}Dragon{]

...school of hard knocks. I pepper spray, still use a straight stick, and have been know to use a good fist or two.
But most of the guys I know do the ground fighting because its good hands on fighting.

OC- Black belt in a can

Ground fight? SAP gloves FTW.

<--Old school and used a cherrywood baton, but had better results w/ a PR-24x.

+1 on Akido.

 

[bojangle]

Akido

But, the best martial art is the art of communication. I can talk just about anyone into a pair of handcuffs. It may mean that I take a bit more verbal abuse, or have to spend an extra couple of minutes, but in most cases I don't have to go hands on very often.

Gerbil voodoo works wonders!

OC- Black belt in a can

Ground fight? SAP gloves FTW.

<--Old school and used a cherrywood baton, but had better results w/ a PR-24x.

+1 on Akido.

I don't think I've ever OCed someone who didn't continue to fight (or resist) right through it. Later, they were either too drunk to complain about it OR they were sorry they got sprayed and started whining about it, but I don't think it is very effective in stopping the threat.

 

[Bad Santa]

Best martial art for law enforcement? Gunjitsu. Definitely, Gunjitsu!!!

But, seriously folks...

I've dabbled in all kinds of martial arts over the years, and seriously pursued Shotokan for many years. When I was in the Army, I was a hand-to-hand combat instructor, and, since becoming a LEO, have been certified as a law enforcement defensive tactics instructor (PPCT) amongst other things. I've trained in several extremely aggressive close-quarters combat systems that would not be defensible outside of a true combat/"life-or-death" situation. Does any of this make me an "expert"? By no means. But I feel I'm qualified to have an opinion, at least.

My take, for what it's worth, is that most formalized martial arts are just too complicated to be useful on the street. Aikido, in my humble opinion, falls into this category. I mean, if you studied most of these martial arts for years and years, hours a day, you would almost certainly be a certified Bad Motherf****r. But, be honest, how often do most LEOs train on defensive tactics after finishing the academy?

Grappling and ground-fighting techniques are great... until another bad guy shows up and starts using your head as a soccer ball. (Ask me how I know this...)

So, what do I recommend? Something simple; direct; brutal; something that instills a few, effective techniques that can end a fight quickly and can become part of muscle memory on the basis of repetitions. No flying-spinning-cartwheeling-back-kicks, complicated joint-twisting, or other "Hollywood" techniques. Something that emphasizes staying on your feet if at all possible, but incorporates groundfighting if it becomes necessary. From my experience, Krav Maga fills this bill. I've trained in KM for a while now, and I think it's great.

Just my opinion, your milage may vary....

 

[donnamatrix]

+ 1 on the Krav Maga

quick, dirty, real-world/street fighting ... and the gun, knife disarms are ftw... I [heart] KM!

(oh and as my friend's license place says "NOTALEO")

 

[JPM]

Gerbil voodoo works wonders!



I don't think I've ever OCed someone who didn't continue to fight (or resist) right through it. Later, they were either too drunk to complain about it OR they were sorry they got sprayed and started whining about it, but I don't think it is very effective in stopping the threat.

Pepper spray is not going to take most people out of the fight, but it gives you a big advantage. Even if they don't feel pain it physically affects the human body by inflaming mucus membranes. Meaning their eyes and breathing passages will become inflamed and swell causing loss of oxygen.

Short answer, it will allow your body to obtain oxygen to fight longer. This is why I only carry a small can of pepper spray (I guess some like the liter size on their belt? ) When the fights on the bad get gets a blast of spray and immediately followed by baton or fists. Our job is not to fight fair but to end the fight and go home safe.

 

[Outta Control]

In the academy we were told to stay within agency policy for the use of force. Just because the officer is an expert in MA doesn't mean they can use it unless you can articulate that you had to use it beyond agency policy to preserve your own life and not to resort in deadly force. Plus the high possibility of getting civilly sued for using methods beyond agency policy. The best approach is to be a DT instructor for your agency and teach what ever you want.

On a side note KM is not a magic bullet. There are some practical techniques in KM but it is very aggressive and it is about instant reaction, especially from behind, that is an excessive use of force really quick. From my known research and observations in KM it is a very good MA but not that good.

OC spray sucks and works differently on people. Some reacts quickly while some none at all. Besides I would not want to get sprayed also. JPM talks like my TO, "spray then immediately *wHaK*"

 

[Eisernkreuz]

There was an article in Police Mag a couple months ago talking about some new MA created by a former LEO/military guy, who adapted it to an officer's job. It involves more ground stuff, because, let's face it, most fights cops get into end up on the ground. He advocated the usage of a back-up firearm or knife held on an ankle holster and tactics in deploying it while on the ground. I'll see if I can dig it up.

 

[JPM]

In the academy we were told to stay within agency policy for the use of force. Just because the officer is an expert in MA doesn't mean they can use it unless you can articulate that you had to use it beyond agency policy to preserve your own life and not to resort in deadly force. Plus the high possibility of getting civilly sued for using methods beyond agency policy. The best approach is to be a DT instructor for your agency and teach what ever you want.

On a side note KM is not a magic bullet. There are some practical techniques in KM but it is very aggressive and it is about instant reaction, especially from behind, that is an excessive use of force really quick. From my known research and observations in KM it is a very good MA but not that good.

OC spray sucks and works differently on people. Some reacts quickly while some none at all. Besides I would not want to get sprayed also. JPM talks like my TO, "spray then immediately *wHaK*"

Hey, when you find something that works....why reinvent the wheel.