Thanks for the "Liability" Comment

Unless you're an attorney, licensed to practice in all of the 50 states and all of the 194 counties in the world, do us all a favor and kindly close your pie hole.

I'm not a lawyer nor do I pretend to be one, but the one thing I do know is that use of force laws vary from country to country and state to state, so unless you can comment on each individual municipality the world over, please enjoy this hearty cup of "shut the hell up."

I would not or could not even attempt to comment on when to use deadly in a situation unless I was placed in it myself. This is a moral and ethical decision that is saved for one person and one person only: the man or woman in the situation. I would hope that you would give that person the credit that they will make the right call and do what ever it takes to save their life and the lives of others.

When you bring up the liability issue you reveal yourself as a self important, sanctimonious putz. We get it Dad, thanks for telling us something we already know. Now go back to boring other people in your life. I guess you think we're too stupid to even consider the legal ramifications of our actions or that we live in a society governed by laws and that those laws when broken, have consequences. So for that, I thank you.

The same holds true for the people who like to post "Why don't you just run away?"

Who the hell do you think you are to tell what to do? Why stop there? Please tell me how to vote, am I pro-choice or pro-life? What religion am I? Do I like the color blue or black? Am I gay or straight? If you're in the business of telling people what moral and ethical decisions to make and imposing your values and judgments on others, you might as well keep going.

Use of force is a moral and ethical decision for the individual to make. Like a firearms manufacturer, I provide the tools, you make the decision. I am not here to tell you when and if to use force, only how. I do not assume I know what the best decision for you in the heat of the moment because I am not a sanctimonious asshole.
I only give you what has been proven to work with the highest degree of success. Further more, I promise I will never tell you where to shop, what to eat, who to sleep with and how to file your tax return. Because at the end of the day, it's none of my damn business.

That being said, please keep your liability discussions for someone who cares, like your lawyer, PBA rep or your mom and just let the grown ups talk. And if you choose to run away, that's great, but from those of us who can't or don't want to, please take your panties some place else.

Train Honestly,
Damian Ross, CEO The Self Defense Company

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Bad Guy Calls Cop's Bluff

The fantasy: A gun solves every self defense situation.
The reality: You can only use a gun if there is "justified use of deadly force".

Every scumbag criminal knows this and will not think twice about resisting or evading when guns are drawn.

In this video the cop pulls his firearm in hopes to scare the shit out of the bad guy. Bad guy knows the cop won't shoot. Bad guy resists and attacks the cop. Now the gun is a deadly liability. This cop is lucky that the criminal only wanted to distract him to escape and not put a severe hurting on him.

In a perfect world, if you resist with any use of force, the officer should have the right to shoot you. Hey, where I come from if the police tell you to freeze, you freeze. The poor cop is actually fighting the guy with one hand while he tries to holster his weapon.

It was later reported that the bad guy had a box cutter and some other paraphernalia, but nothing that couldn't be explained as a "tool" by even the worst public defender.

The department later said the the officer "acted correctly". In my opinion, the officer may have "acted correctly" but is a hell of a lot more lucky than good. This officer is lucky that this guy just didn't beat the living shit out of him, which he is probably regretting right now and the next time he's backed up against the wall, he's going to be damn sure he gets away.

Police Policy and use of force laws have literally sterilized law enforcement. The training and tactics taught are all but useless in the real world. A cops only chance is if he gets an instructor who has been in the real world and teaches "off the book." Seriously, if the officer in this situation did something that would render the bad guy unconscious from the get go, he would have been safe, the store manager would have been safe and the bad guy would have woken up in custody.

This is why the GUARDIAN DEFENSIVE TACTICS POLICE COMBATIVES has become so popular over the past year. Simply because it puts the good guys first and the scumbags second.

I'll say it again, this cop is lucky.


There is a full report on the incident HERE

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Martial Arts Training and Police Work

One of the greatest values of martial arts training is learning other people’s physical capabilities when “mixing it up.” Being taken off your feet by a Division I wrestler is an eye-opening experience. Being thrown to the ground eight straight times in various fashions by a guy who is 25 pounds lighter and a head shorter than you is indeed humbling. And rolling with a guy who used to play football on Sundays is just plain scary.

But all these experiences teach invaluable lessons to a Police Officer. First, it shows that going toe to toe with any adversary is a risky proposition. Just think how many people out there possess physical and athletic skills that you do not. Fighting fair in law enforcement is a true roll of the dice. Our job is not a contest of physical abilities. Our job is to win before the other guy even knew it was a fight.

Second, sizing up a bad guy by looks alone is a weak strategy. Assuming big guys can’t be fast and skinny guys can’t be strong is a huge mistake. One of my training partners defines the term “deceivingly strong.” Look at him and you would call him unremarkable. But when you roll with him, he is a beast. I know it is cliché, but underestimating your opponent will get you hurt. So, just hit everyone hard.

Next, it is almost impossible to get a non-compliant subject controlled without striking. Rolling live really exposes the shortcomings of pressure points and joint locks. Even most submissions are difficult to pull off and often compromise your position of dominance. Defensive Tactics for Law Enforcement revolve around mindset and the ability to strike. Everything else (throws, ground fighting, cuffing) builds off of that foundation.

Last, fighting is tiring! Nothing tests your wind like trying to move a guy who doesn’t want to be moved. The fatigue factor is tremendous. Now throw in stress and adrenaline!! Studies show that Police Officers who are in excellent physical condition can hit the wall after two minutes in an altercation. You can’t respect your personal fatigue threshold until you have experienced it.

It surprises me how many Officers shy away from physical contact outside of work. The only way to truly prepare is to know (and roll with) who is out there. So get on the mat and have some fun!!!

Ed Kane

Ed is a Detective and Defensive Tactics instructor in New Jersey. He is also a Guardian Defensive Tactics Instructor for The SDC.

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Self Defense Myth Busting

Just the facts. The following is backed by scientific study, NOT dojo hyperbole.

The Truth About The Statistics We Hear...

The image on the left is NOT a real fight.

Myth 1: 90% of fights go to the ground
This is the "statistic" heard from every ground fighter and grappler. The truth is IT IS UNTRUE.

The "fact" comes from The Use Of Force Study of the LAPD by Retired Sgt John Sommers. His study looked at 6000 use of force reports. He presetned this study at the ASLET conference. He used this study he developed a defensive tactics program for the LAPD. The report found that 60% of the time the arresting officer was knocked to the ground. Given arresting situations where multiple officers are involved and there is a lot of pushing and shoving, there is a high probability of tripping and falling.

Some other points to know:
1. The study didn't involve fights, only use of force. This is when the officer must use force or a display of force. This includes pushing and shoving to drawing your weapon.

2. The study was conducted on police officers NOT citizens.

To quote Sergeant John Sommers, (who worked with martial artists like the Gracies, the Machados, and Benny Urquidez) "I don't ever recommend you go to the ground." The very author of the study and designer of the training program thinks going to the ground is a very bad idea.

Check out http://www.providencecombatives.com/8197/ to get more details

Just the FACTS please:
According to the Department of Justice and the FBI Crime Reports from 1973 to 2006 (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/cvict_v.htm)

*Men are victimized at rates 22% higher than women
*Men are more likely to be victimized by a stranger
*Most homicide victims 35% are under the age of 35. 11% are under the age of 18.
*In 26% (more than 1 in 4) of the violent crimes committed, a weapon was present.
*Homicides are often committed with weapons. 65% with firearms, 13% with knives, 6% with blunt objects and 16% with other weapons.

FOR THE LADIES IN THE HOUSE....
*Women are more likely to be victimized by someone they know
*A woman who fights back gains an 86% chance avoiding the rape and incurs little chance of additional injury.
*Most injuries occur BEFORE a woman fights back
*Women using knives or guns in self defense were raped less than 1% of the time (Kleck and Sayles study, 1990)

FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN BLUE:
From the Police Use of Force Study by the Department of Justice
http://www.ncjrs.gov/app/topics/SearchResults.aspx?TopicName=Law%20Enforcement&topicID=158&txtKeywordSearch=use+of+force
THE LINK is the NATIONAL USE OF FORCE
PAGE 8
the study focused on 7,512 adult custody arrests in 1996.
*80% of in which police used force involved WEAPONLESS TACTICS
Grabbing was the tactic uses 50% of the time (we could conclude that STRIKING was the other 50%)
*2.1% of all arrests involved use of weapons of any kind
*1.2% of all arrests used chemical agents, like pepper spray
*0.7% of all arrests involved other weapons (batons, flashlight, etc.)
*5% of all use of force involved a weapon. Baton, Pepper Spray or Firearm
*0.2% involved a firearm.

That means for every 500 arrests that involve use of force you will get into
400 hand to hand confrontations (200 roll-arounds, 200 beat downs)
6 times you will have to use the "juice" (Pepper spray)
3.5 times you will have to "crack heads" with your baton
1 time you will have to use your firearm.

Will you be involved in 500 use of force arrests? Probably not. I know you go to the range and take your "certification" classes, but are your making close quarters, hand to hand combat part of your life?

Statistics don't lie. You are going to have to fight to survive. Citizens and Police alike must assume your target is armed, dangerous and yo will have to use unarmed use of force to get home safely.

Don't ever let the FACTS confuse your BELIEFS. This is not martial arts propaganda.

Scientific study, not randomly spouted statistics are what I hand my hat on...how about you?

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The De-escalation of force and the difference between resistance and attack. By Benjamin J. Campos

The application of force is a topic covered throughout a police officer’s career. Training begins academically at the academy, followed by practical “defensive tactics” and similar training. Recruits and candidates are instructed on techniques and their appropriate applications. However, as officers, we do not live in a text book, and anyone who has ever worked on the street can tell you that situations develop faster than most can recall data. It is important to highlight that knowledge and skill of this arena are not solely gained at the academy. There are many training programs, as well as books and authors on the topic which help prepare an officer for his/her tasks.

There are many situations in a police officer’s responsibilities that call for the responding officer to enter a situation low, and escalate as necessary. For example, a domestic disturbance where a husband and wife are verbally arguing might not be best solved by walking in and shouting. If we walk in and begin to yell, where do we go from there? A little verbal judo here might de-escalate the situation.
Another topic to begin this article that must be discussed is the difference between affecting an arrest of a resisting suspect, and an attack on a police officer. The easiest way to break this down is to ask the following: Is he trying to get away, or is he trying to attack me? In the first, your force must be directed to affect an arrest without injury to self, other officers, or innocent parties. In the latter, you must save yourself. You must go home at the end of the shift. You must win. You must counter attack.

Now how much force is reasonable? In attempting to affect an arrest, the textbook answer would be the amount necessary to get the job done. End of story. But how much force is reasonable when the resistor turns on you. How much is necessary when the suspect takes that swing, that kick, draws the weapon, or goes for yours?
This is not the time to decide if you have the capability in you to cause serious bodily harm. That decision should be burned into your mind from the moment you took that job. At the moment you feel threatened, at the moment you feel the reality set in, you have to already be engaged in battle. The appropriate response is to be in “kill or be killed” mode, and begin your attack with the initial intent to take it to the end if necessary. Here is where the title of this article “de-escalation of force” comes into play.

In verbal judo, we enter low and steady and calm. At this point, we can work up to where we need to be. When your life is on the line, you must begin the fight at the top level. You must be in kill mode and give nothing less than all the fight you have in you. As I say this, you might be thinking that you cannot, or that it is wrong to feel this way. But remember that we are all animals, and possess instincts and capacity beyond education. And also remember that this may be the call, this may be the fight that stops you from going home at the end of your shift. The one that gets your family a folded flag.

While applying all of the necessary physical, mechanical, or ultimately lethal force during this encounter, the situation may change. As this dynamic situation unfolds, the suspect may fight on, surrender, or be rendered incapable of fighting further. At this point, you may de-escalate if necessary, and keep the situation in the physical force/mechanical force sector. But the mental preparedness to exert lethal force must always be there, ready to emerge from your primitive brain without conscious decision. You must fight with everything you have, until you know that you are safe.

A good parallel to this is Firearm Training System (FATS) type interactive training. A scenario may present an armed suspect (shoot), who moments later drops the weapon (don’t shoot). Specifics change, and we must change with them. But one thing that remains the same, is that we must be mentally prepared to go as far as necessary to protect ourselves, or brother/sister officers, and the public.

This article proposes the polar opposite in handling physical attack vs. many other types of disturbances. It is important to mentally prepare for your job every day, and unfortunately in our chosen career, you must mentally prepare to kill someone every single day.

*It should be noted that the ideas in this article are that of the author, and do not represent explanation or interpretation of law (state or federal). All information is for informative purposes only, and students should seek legal guidance from their agency, legal advisor, or classroom instructor regarding the application of force.
_________________

Benjamin Campos is a NJLEO
PTC Certified Firearms Instructor
PTC Certified Recruit Instructor
Use of Force / Weapon Applications
NRA Training Counselor
He can be reached for instruction HERE http://www.ShootSmartTraining.com

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Lethal Vs. Nonlethal Force

No sane person wants to hurt another human being. We learn to repsect life, not destroy it. Because of my work, people have the perception of me as a violent person. Well anyone who knows me understands this not to be true. The same can be said for most martial artists, professional fighters, cops and soldiers. It's a hobby or a job -it's something we do. Personally, I enjoy helping people empower themselves, do their jobs better and live happier, safer lives.

One of the comments I hear about the SDTS is that it's too brutal.
Now, I'll try to write the next portion at the risk of sounding like an alarmist. The Self Defense Training System prepares you for WORST CASE scenarios. Your worst nightmare attacks you with 100% intent on killing or raping you on your worst day under the worst possible conditions. Logic dictates that you plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Common sense will also tll you that if you do anything less than 100% you leave little room for failure. We all must agree as soon as you roll off the throttle you create room for failure.

That being said, this doesn't mean you "kill" everyone who looks at you the wrong way. Your instincts go a long way but remember, even if some one just pushes you and you trip, fall and crack your skull on the sidewalk- you're still just a dead as if they shot you.

In self defense there are no gurantees only high percentage methods- maximun effect in the shortest amount of time. That is what the SDTS provides.

Non-lethal force...yes, it's in there too. You can back off if you have it under control BUT BE WARNED!!!! If you're a civilian and you are going to walk away from some one who you just embarassed, be prepared for retaliation. He may have a weapon, call his friends, and try again with the knowledge that you can kick the snot out of him. Even if it seems resloved, you must leave the scene immediately even if he leaves.

In law enforcement, there are really only a few holds you need to secure some one (unless they are an emotionally disturbed person then its full on). Most people will give up once they realize there's no use in fighting.

The bottome line is all force can be regulated. A blow to the side of the neck can be used to stun as well as kill, the cohice is yours.

People talk about escalating force. In law enforcement this is artially true, bt not like most people think. For civilians escalating force in NOT PRACTICAL. As soon as some one assualts you, you protect yourself and stop when that person or persons are no longer a threat to you.

I'm not talking about your drunk brother-in-law, in those cases a sharp word and a firm push puts them in their place.

Nonlethal force can be regulated, but you're making a grave mistake if you engage with the intent of just pushing someone around. This is why physical force is ALWAYS the last resort.