Why are more Police being killed

Excellent article from George at MerCop

Why are more police being killed?
from Modern Combative Systems Blog by George

Over the last several days, I have seen this question posed on TV and the Internet. What follows is my opinion on the answer.

Many things have changed in law enforcement over the years, but one thing has remained the same. At some point the officer has to put cuffs on the bad guy and take him to jail, and some will kill to keep themselves from going back to jail. Of course for some, it is a premeditated conscious decision that they are willing to kill an officer. But in most cases, I believe, it is just a spontaneous violent reaction, in a long, long line of them. Our bad guys still grow up in a violent world where you fight for everything. On the other hand, more than ever before, we are getting officers who have never been tackled, punched in the face, or even had the breath knocked out of them by another human. This lack of inoculation to violence is coupled by the strick guidelines for people who wish to pursue a career in law enforcement. These days a defending of yourself in middle school will likely get you suspended or worse. More suppression of the natural reaction to defend yourself even when attacked.

Fast forward and the same person decides a government job would provide a decent pension after 20-25 years of age. Being free of anything in their background that would lead anyone to believe they have a violent streak, they are hired and sent to the academy.

The goal of a police academy, in theory, is to teach the police officer everything they need to know to be effective and to defend themselves and others. The reality is that they have dedicated themselves to protecting themselves from liability, instead of protecting the officers from the dangers they will face. It is not the fault of the academy staff, but rather bosses and politicians.

Firearms training is vital to the police officer, but the vast majority of situations begin with physical contact between the officer and suspect. Most systems for arrest & control or defensive tactics taught in academies become inside jokes due to their lack of effectiveness in real situations. Much of this training relies on pain compliance which is all but worthless on people under the influence of drugs and alcohol, or even against someone with an adrenaline dump. So now they bring no skills with them to the academy, and pick up techniques. So what happens is that they become dependent of things like pepper spray, the Taser, and the gun. It is no wonder why most allegations of excessive use of force involve the use of weapons besides firearms. None of which they are likely to have in their hands when inside grappling range with a suspect. Then one day they encounter a suspect who fights to kill them so they can walk away, instead of all the others who fought so they could run away.

These problems are best dealt with in in-service training, but sadly much of that time is taken with courses on cultural diversity or how to use the new computers in the car. To the bosses who are reading this, you need to also understand that realistic training for your officers will result in loss time injuries. Common sense and prevention will keep these to a minimum. But you cannot prepare for combat without incurring some bumps and bruises.

The other side of the coin is that good solid police who meet confrontation head on and don’t hesitate to use appropriate force, sometimes faster than their peers, are singled out by supervisors. Sooner or later even the most dedicated officer cannot ignore the fact that every time they use force it brings criticism. Eventually this leads to hesitation, and hesitation kills.

So to all those who are wringing their hands over why police are being killed, spare me. Just accept the fact that police need to know how to be effectively violent in the blink of an eye. This officer is not a danger to the citizen. He is an obstacle to the criminal who wishes to harm him and those whom he protects.

Self Analysis by Chirontraining

Here's a great piece, summing up a few thoughts I have nicely:
Self Analysis
A quote - 'So what are the stupid life choices? Almost all social violence happens in four kinds of places:...'

Just started (on another long flight) a book by Mark Hatmaker - No Second Chance. He also stresses awareness and attitude as keys in avoiding the use of violence in your defense. I will review it later (probably next month).

Until then, train hard and train smart.

Stinger post

Comtech stinger



A useful 'pressure point massage' tool, relatively innocuous, low profile (esp. the clear version in low light) - I recommend getting a few for friends and loved ones. The Stinger also helps to keep those pesky keys from going missing. A great alternative to holding keys in the fist (which can damage your hand as much as an attackers face).

Long time between posts...

Been busy with career change, studying, home stuff, training, etc., etc.

Here are a couple of cool links for you.

old-guys-in-the-martial-arts



learn-wing-chun-kung-fu



learnmartialartsonline.blogspot.com

From a YKM brother in the Philippines - with the world situation, maybe we need to look at 'self-defense' in a larger light. I do, some people I look up to do (thank you, Mr. Keating) - it's a dynamic, changing world. Don't be afraid to expand your mind, do some research. The old ways work, and can be adapted to modern times.

Drop me a comment, let me know what you would like to see here on the blog.

Update

Sorry for the sparse updates - been a bit busy (as always).

Just finished up my 6th 28-day cycle of TacFit Commando, a bodyweight program from Coach Scott Sonnon and the folks at Rmaxinternational. Three more to go, then I will probably re-start the program, incorporating the TacFit ROPE program into it.

The program has worked well for me, and also for a friend that started about three months ago. I feel it has focused my training, helped me to keep motivated, and works most of the fitness/health areas I need. I will add the ROPE program to ensure the 'pulling' muscles get worked, which is absent most bodyweight only programs. Or I could just go do more pull ups....

Here is a blog I ran across extolling the virtues of the Circular Strength Training (CST) - http://hermanchauw.blogspot.com If you stop by, let him know how you came across his site (that would be because I linked you to him).

In the latest Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine, there are two articles of note - one is about how Hung Gar was used to form the basis of the Nan Quan Wu Shu set (forgive my spelling), and an article on Hakka family gung fu styles, which form the basis of much of Yau Kung Mun.

If you are interested in learning Yau Kung Mun, drop me a line and we can start a discussion regarding the issue. I am looking for serious students.

And a belated Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Jack LaLanne

Eight Lessons from the life and work of Jack LaLanne

Jack was an inspiration for all involved in the fitness world. Sad to see him go.

There are numerous sites covering his life and passing, I thought the one linked above was very good, humble and to the point.

The lie that saved me...

I was crossing a very sensitive border, leaving the world's
nastiest dictatorship with a head full of intelligence and enough
hard proof to avert global disaster. It was all going so well and I
was almost over the line when a beefy officer with an enormous
Communist hat and an even larger moustache stepped out from behind
his kiosk and grabbed me by the shoulder.

"Is that a Gymboss in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"

A cold bead of sweat trickled slowly down my back. My head was
filled with an irritating loop of "Morning Train" by Sheena Easton
-- that was my mental conditioning kicking in, drilled into me so I
wouldn't panic in moments exactly like this.

I was busted and I had to think fast.

That border guard had eyes like a hawk. It was indeed a Gymboss in
my pocket, but I sure didn't want to admit it! He'd know I was
training TACFIT-style and the game would be up.

So what did I do?

I swallowed my pride and batted my eyelashes.

"Why yes officer, I AM happy to see you..."

It was a blow to my pride -- a Gymboss doesn't exactly make an
imposing silhouette -- but it bought me some time. They marched me
into a customs shed, and when they turned their backs to close the
door I picked up a heavy oak desk, pressed it over my head, and
hurled it at them.

The force of the desk took down all three guards. That thing was
solid! I would never have budged it if I hadn't spent those
precious three weeks between missions building functional muscle.


I bolted out the door and sprinted across the border before they
had a chance to get up and pursue me. And I threw in some evasive
dodges, rolls and dives just in case... I bet that freaked them
out, cause everyone thinks "muscular" has to equal "muscle bound."
Sorry Comrade, but that simply isn't true.

Now I'm safe at home, sitting by the fireplace sipping a protein
shake -- shaken, not stirred -- and polishing my dumbbells. I've got
some downtime, and that means it's time to hone my skills.

Yeah, these TACFIT courses have been a lifesaver for my career. I
used to "muscle up" using bodybuilding style training. But after a
while I got so darn bound up that I repeatedly threw out my back
trying to answer my shoe phone. You should have heard the guys at Q
Branch laugh their pocket protectors off!

No, I need muscle that's as functional as it is impressive. I need
strength, power, size and agility to meet the demands of my crazy
life. I might be scuba diving in the morning, scaling the walls of
a fortress at noon, and playing baccarat in the Monte Carlo casino
that night. I swear sometimes the trunk of my Aston Martin looks
like I live in it.

TACFIT is just what the special branch ordered. It's no wonder all
the guys in my department are using it. At least those of us with
00-numbers.

This message won't self destruct like those fancy messages I get
from HQ, but the special deal on Mass Assault will!
Move fast like the wind, my friends. Move fast..... like the wind.

_______

Aside from the over the top advertising methods, I like and recommend using the Gymboss timer. Very versatile, compact, etc. I have also been doing the TacFit Commando workouts for the last 4 months or so, and feel they are a great way to focus your training time/methods. I recommend using two gymboss timers, one for the warm-up and cool-down phases (set for 6 rounds of 30 seconds with 30 seconds rest), and one for the Tabata portion. Train hard, train smart.