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63 FBI L. Enforcement Bull. 24 (1994)
Marshaling an Old Art: Martial Arts in Police Training

handle is hein.journals/fbileb63 and id is 322 raw text is: The idea of using the martial arts in police training is not a new one. In Japan, all police officers train in various styles of Karate and Judo. In the United States, officers routinely practice wrist locks and take down tech- niques that originated in the martial arts. The PR-24 police baton used by most American police depart- ments is, in fact, based on the Tonfa, an ancient Okinawan farming tool that peasants adapted for use as a defense against sword attacks. However, most police instruc- tors quickly would correct someone who referred to the baton as a Tonfa. This conflict in terminology typifies the misconceptions many Americans hold about the martial arts. Even those who tacitly em- brace the martial arts often do so without fully appreciating their more subtle qualities. In addition to providing un- equaled self-defense capabilities, proper training in the martial arts can also benefit law enforcement officers in numerous other ways. The strict mental and physical conditioning in martial arts train- ing promotes cardiovascular health. increases flexibility, and enables officers to cope better with the high stress levels inherent in policing. The training also fosters a sense of self-confidence that allows offi- cers to diffuse volatile situations without resorting to force. With American law enforcement facing unparalleled challenges, adminis- trators would be remiss to ignore the many potential benefits that martial arts training could provide to their officers and their agencies, BENEFITS OF MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING Physical and Emotional Health A career in law enforcement is considered one of the most physi- cally dangerous of any profession. 24 / FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin

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