State Representative Jamie Thompson of Michigan’s Brownstown Twp. (R) has put forward a bill suggesting that police officers be trained in jiu-jitsu or comparable techniques, such as mixed martial arts and judo.
Introduced on Sept. 14, House Bill 5014 calls for law enforcement professionals to be trained in non-lethal takedown methods using jiu-jitsu or similar grappling techniques.
Thompson stated that such training would be beneficial for Michigan, encouraging efficient and non-lethal approaches in potentially volatile situations. “Our police officers are dedicated to safeguarding our communities and loved ones. It’s our responsibility to equip them with effective tools for their duties,” he remarked.
The bill stipulates that officers should attain at least a blue belt in jiu-jitsu or a similar level in other grappling disciplines.
If passed, Thompson’s proposal would be implemented next year, targeting those pursuing a career in law enforcement. Officers already in service would be provided a timeframe to undergo the necessary training, with a requirement for ongoing education in grappling techniques.
Drawing a parallel, a few years back, the Marietta Police Department in Georgia integrated a similar program. They declared Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a compulsory training for all their affiliated officers, as mentioned on their official website.
Concerns & Criticism
It is an easy talking point for a politician (with no grappling experience) to make, but what does a blue belt really mean? Blue belts can be given out for all kinds of reasons and there is no acid test. They come in all shapes and sizes, some are very good at jiu-jitsu, while others are terrible.
BJJ offers no defense against guns and other weapons, but is certainly useful against holding down, taking down and pinning criminals. If cops were proficient blue belts and used techniques properly, then this wouldn’t be a bad idea, but everyone who has trained for any period of time will know that some people don’t learn, don’t want to learn and simply don’t really care.
Furthermore, due to prior police incidents with chokes, it would seem quite strange to train police officers in this area. Chokes are a common part of BJJ and if performed correctly and released, the danger to anyone else is very minimal. However, the same point could be made about any kind of weapon or martial art. Ultimately it is an individual who makes something dangerous, not the discipline or object.
Lastly, becoming a blue belt-level grappler is quite a commitment for someone who has never trained before. Moreover, if a police officer becomes extremely out of shape or is outweighed by 100lbs and strikes are involved, is a blue belt going to make much of a difference?
