NCJ Number
66626
Journal
Police Product News Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1980) Pages: 38-41,44-45
Date Published
1980
Length
6 pages
Annotation
SELF-DEFENSE AND BATON TACTICS FOR POLICE INVOLVE MERELY SELECTING AND EFFECTIVELY USING NATURAL SKILLS; HOWEVER, SINCE EMPTY-HAND CONTROL IS THE KEY TO DEFENSE WITHOUT DEADLY WEAPONS, TECHNIQUES ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
TRAINING IN DEFENSIVE TACTICS WITHOUT DEADLY WEAPONS INVOLVES DEVELOPING PHYSICAL FITNESS, SELF-CONFIDENCE, HUMANE USE OF INTERMEDIATE WEAPONS SUCH AS THE BATON, SELF-PROTECTION SKILLS, AND PSYCHOMOTOR SKILLS. EFFECTIVE MOVEMENT IS THE KEY TO ALL THESE SKILLS. HIGH PRIORITY IS GIVEN TO ACTIVITIES THAT DEVELOP STRENGTH, BALANCE, ENDURANCE, AGILITY, AND FLEXIBILITY. EMPTY-HAND CONTROL, THE FOUNDATION OF THESE TACTICS, SHOULD BE THE FOCUS OF AT LEAST 45 PERCENT OF DEFENSE INSTRUCTION. ALSO, SINCE OFFICERS WILL BE INVOLVED IN MORE SITUATIONS NEEDING EMPTY-HAND CONTROL THAN BATONS OR SELF-DEFENSE TECHNIQUES, THEIR EFFECTIVENESS WILL DEPEND ON THIS TRAINING. EMPTY-HAND CONTROL IS USEFUL WITH THOSE RESISTING ARREST OR REFUSING TO OBEY COMMANDS. THE TECHNIQUES ARE SIMPLE AND AIM AT PRODUCING PAIN AND PRESSURE, THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF CONTROLLING AN ADVERSARY. THEY INVOLVE TWISTING OR BENDING THE ADVERSARY'S WRIST, ELBOW, AND ARM. TO BE EFFECTIVE, A POLICE OFFICER MUST BE PERSISTENT AND FIRM IN APPROACH, MUST NOT ESCALATE EMOTIONS, MUST EXHIBIT CONFIDENCE, AND MUST USE A LIGHT, FIRM GRASP AND KEEP A LOWER CENTER OF GRAVITY THAN THE ADVERSARY. MOVEMENTS SHOULD BE PLANNED IN ADVANCE. ILLUSTRATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS OF TECHNIQUES ARE INCLUDED. (PAP)