Why aren't cops better trained in self defense techniques?

Question

I have watched many police videos, and have seen several cops almost overpowered by suspects and an officer attacked and shot dead with his own gun. Granted, cops have MACE/pepper spray, batons, handguns, blackjacks, etc. But they cannot just shoot a suspect if they are unarmed. The officers have to subdue them hand to hand.

After seeing many martial arts classes in kung fu san soo, Krav Maga, Gracie style and other fighting methods, they are more than capable of using holds, arm locks, etc. to disable attackers with guns knives and physical strength of an opponent. I saw a video of the late Master Jimmy Woo who was attcked full force by guys bigger and tougher than he was, but he put them all down. Why aren't cops capable of disabling a powerful suspect with a matial art technique? Why aren't they trained better to disable an aggressive attacker? Sometimes it takes 2-4 officers to handle a rough neck. Any cops care to comment? Be careful and watch yourselves from bad elements.

Answer 1

I work as a Corrections Officer in a maximun security prison. I have ten years of martial arts training that includes Gracie style ju jitsu. It's ignorant to assume that martial arts training FULLY prepares you for a real fight. Only real fights prepare you for real fights, because not everything happens the way you train for it, and that situation is one that officers want to avoid.

Having trained for so long, I would say I might be better prepared than some. As law enforcement officers, you often have to think about the appropriate use of force. Anyone knows that hesitation in dire straights leads to bad things, but our jobs could be on the chopping block as well as our lives. We cannot simply block the attack and break an arm with a hold. We have to JUSTIFY the force used. Lawsuits bad.

Plus, it's expensive to put an entire force through regimented tactical martial arts training. A sad but true fact that budget enters into the equation.

I, personally, have never been in or seen a demonstration where people were attacking "full force" and being defended as such. I would like to see if Tito Ortiz could defend himself against 4 armed men.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Because it takes 10 plus years to be a martial arts master, and the police have to train a officer in less than 6 months to go out onto the streets.

Next they can not hit a suspect the ways martial arts people do, that would be excessive force and they would be sued.

And yes, to do an arrest, without using excessive force as viewed by the courts, it will take 3 or 4 officers.

And some poeple who are mental health, or on certain drugs, you can hit them with your ASP and they don't even notice it.
We had 6 officers trying to take down 1 man, they had to break his arm and a leg with ASPs before he fell to the ground, and even then he keep fighting.

Also with the large amounts of law suits, most officers hesitate, they don't strike first, so after the other person makes his first move, they are at the advantage.

I merely grabbed a suspect and pushed him against his car to cuff him, and I had a excessive force case filed against me.

Cops do not "fight" they are only to detain and arrest.

Answer 4

Every situation will vary from department to department, and in many cases its hard to say what an officer would, could or should have done in the heat of the moment. Many officers are trained in basic self defense, but few really go all out and get more advanced training, and many stay in shape better than others. Also another factor, is the person they might be trying to arrest, might be under the infulence of something and have to be overpowered. And many offenders who don't have a problem killing a cop, is someone with nothing to lose, but freedom. Also the fact that many offenders might be bigger than the officers, and this does play a big part. Yes, I am all for officers getting the best training possible in the areas of self defense and also having the best tools to assist them in their daily duties. This topic can go on and on, but I strongly feel that every officer does a thankless job, and they need all the support and funding they can get, to better, "Protect and Serve".

Answer 5

TO BE HONEST, THE PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENT. THEY ISSUE US A BATON AND WHEN JUSTIFIED, CAN STRIKE A PERSON WITH IT. TAKE THE SAME SCENERIO, BUT SAY WE CANT GET TO OUR BATON AND HIT THEM WITH A FLASH LIGHT..ITS CONSIDERED EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE PUBLIC AND SUPREME COURT STATES THAT AN BATON IS MADE TO STRIKE AND A FLASHLIGHT IS NOT. ITS STUPID.

THEY ALSO PREACH LIABILITY ALMOST IN EVERY STATE. MOST STATES BAN OFFICERS FROM USING A CHOKE HOLD (MINUS CHOKING THE PERSON). MOST STATES ONLY WANT US USING PRESSURE POINTS WHICH DONT WORK ON ALOT OF PEOPLE OR PEOPLE ON SOME DRUGS. SOCIETY MAKES IT SO HARD BECAUSE EVERYTIME, A SUSPECT GETS HURT, ITS HOLLERED THAT THE POLICE ABUSED THEM.

NO GRANTED OVER THE YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN ALOT OF ABUSIVE COPS AND STILL ARE SOME TODAY. BUT INSTEAD OF JUST PUNISHING THE ABUSIVE ONES (IF THEY DO THAT), THEY PUNISH EVERY COP BY PLACING MORE STIPULATIONS ON US. I NEVER HEAR THE PUBLIC CRY OUT TO THE SUPREME COURT OR MEDIA WHEN AN OFFICER IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILL...SO WHY IS IT DONE THE OTHER WAY AROUND. THATS LIFE AND I DEAL WITH AND AM STILL ABLE TO DO MY JOB.

I HAVE BEEN IN MANY SITUATIONS WHERE I HAVE HURT (EXTENSIVELY AT TIMES) AND I COULD HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF IT IF I RESORTED TO STREET FIGHTING TECHNIQUES, BUT THE COURTS AND SOCIETY LOOKS AT IT AS STREET VIOLENCE AND POLICE BRUTALITY. WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT THOUGH, ILL DUE WHAT I GOT TO DO...HOPEFULLY.

THIS IS WHY SO MANY COPS DONT STAY IN THIS LINE OF WORK..NO COMMUNITY SUPPORT MAJORITY OF THE TIME. THEY EITHER LEAVE THE PROFESSION, COMMITT SUICIDE (SAD, BUT TRUE), OR ARE FIRED BECAUSE OF PUBLIC OUTRAGE.

Answer 6

Most modern law enforcement agencies do train in hand to hand combat. In fact, many use the same guidelines our military use. But a glaring difference in your examples as related to real police work is that martial artists are just that, martial artists. (Not all, but most) And as such, they train daily. Law enforcement officers spend approximately 20% of the off duty time attending court, many have families which require their quality time and may are otherwise involved doing overtime work or who knows what? They live their lives much as anyone else does, they do a little personal work in ther spare time and they have some fun.

One of the best arguments in favor of the use of the Taser. A very efficient non-lethal method to subdue a suspect.

Answer 7

I don't think Master Jimmy Woo became a master studying for an hour a day, five days a week, for 6 months. It takes years of training to attain that level of skill.

Answer 8

It seems that once you're in, you're in. Why are so many cops so fat they couldnt get to their gun without shotting themselves. Why have cops lost all aspects of human relations? When is the last time a cop talked decently to you. They act like smartasses even if you are just asking for directions. Now all cops do not meet this criteria but more meet this criteria than I am comfortable with. Yes, martial arts would be great. Maybe they could arrest someone without beating them half to death. But who is going to make them do any of this training?

Answer 9

In some departments they are, now the use tazer guns. also some of the suspects are on Meth. and that's one drug that in many cases take several officers to bring a suspect down

Answer 10

Being a firefighter, I've responded to some of these incidents.
Drug users are very, very, very, strong. Meth and PCP especially. Some of our police officers are not in shape. I even watched one police officer at the firing range blast a round through his holster, trying to draw it. (very funny)