Police Officers: UFC Fighter Training?
Rethinking Restraint: Jiu-Jitsu‘s Bid to Revolutionize Police Encounters
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The image of a police officer subduing a suspect often conjures a scene of forceful,sometimes violent,physical confrontation. For decades, the prone position-forcing a suspect face down before handcuffing-has been a standard, albeit controversial, method of restraint. Though, this technique carries notable risks, as highlighted by the tragic deaths of Eric garner and George Floyd, both of whom died after being restrained in this manner. Researchers have warned that chest compression in the prone position can lead to positional asphyxia or heart attack. In contrast, a new approach, championed by jiu-jitsu practitioners, offers a perhaps safer alternative: the ”safewrap.”
The Safewrap: A Safer Path to Restraint
The safewrap technique, as demonstrated by jiu-jitsu instructors like Gracie and Raphael Park, fundamentally alters the restraint process.Rather of forcing a suspect prone, this method involves placing them on their side, allowing for unrestricted breathing. This seemingly simple shift in positioning aims to mitigate the life-threatening risks associated with traditional prone restraints.
During a demonstration, the author, a six-foot-one, 250-pound former Division I wrestler with a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, experienced the safewrap firsthand. Wrapped securely around the chest and legs, the author was then positioned on their side, with an arm encircled around their neck in a straitjacket-like hold. Despite significant resistance-kicking, twisting, and writhing-the author found themselves effectively immobilized. Crucially, the author reported being able to breathe freely throughout the process, a stark contrast to the potential respiratory distress of the prone position. The demonstration concluded with the author being handcuffed while still on their side.
Officer Testimonials: Real-World Efficacy
The effectiveness and perceived safety of the safewrap are being echoed by patrol officers who have undergone training. Michael Silva, a young officer who admitted to initial apprehension about physical confrontations, shared his positive experience using the safewrap. He recounted a situation were a suspect had his partner in a headlock. Despite a “sloppy” initial engagement, Silva and his partner successfully applied the safewrap. ”He had no complaints of pain,” Silva stated, highlighting the technique’s ability to de-escalate and restrain without causing undue harm. other officers shared similar anecdotes, including a modestly sized woman who successfully restrained a man twice her size, underscoring the technique’s potential to equalize physical disparities.
While proponents of jiu-jitsu, including Gracie, believe their approach offers a safer alternative, it remains rooted in physical engagement. This inherent reliance on physical conflict may present a hurdle for criminal-justice-reform advocates seeking to move away from confrontational policing tactics. Craig Hanaumi, an officer and program instructor, acknowledged that “physically compelling somebody to do something is not pleasant to look at,” recognizing that all use of force can appear harsh.Furthermore, critics have pointed to a pervasive “warrior-like” culture within policing, which, coupled with practices like masking, has damaged public perception. Gracie’s embrace of this culture, with his jiu-jitsu lessons potentially seen as its ultimate expression, adds another layer of complexity. The gifting of special belts to officers, designed to resemble the controversial Thin blue Line flag-a symbol that has been banned by multiple police departments-further illustrates this cultural alignment. The flag, popularized in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, has become a divisive symbol, and its association with the jiu-jitsu training program raises questions about its broader implications for community relations and police reform.
Despite these cultural and symbolic considerations, the safewrap technique presents a compelling argument for a more humane and potentially safer approach to suspect restraint, offering a tangible alternative to methods that have demonstrably led to tragic outcomes.