Warning all criminals: there's a new wave of cops that are swapping handcuffs for handwraps, using MMA to tap out crime and clean up the streets. Bring in the enforcers...
Such as we’d like to say otherwise, there has never actually been a single recorded case of anyone registering his or her fists as lethal weapons. Long before The Hangover, when Tyson first rehearsed his In the Air Tonight routine on the chins of a plethora of ‘80s heavyweights, Mike's hands were still, legally, just plain ol' hands.
But if a 240lb criminal does decide to throw their fists in fury, its gonna take a hell of a force to stop them.
However, there are a group of public servants charged with tackling these criminals: the law. Now law enforcement officers are moving forward by sharpening their skills to make sure your 'hood isn’t lined with pockets full of concealed weapons that can’t be stopped.
Here’s how they’re making the streets safe.
The state of the nation
You may have adopted some funny impressions from the Police Academy films but you wouldn’t want to put their sweatband-era conditioning and defense techniques into practice today.
“The streets are certainly getting tougher,” says Julian Carroll, a police officer with the US Portland Police Bureau and an MMA instructor at Team Quest who skills fellow officers in MMA. “Our current training techniques, I believe, are ill suited to deal with this.
Only now are we starting to look at MMA and how to incorporate it into our defensive tactics program focusing on ground escapes and striking.”
The law's lack of preemptive planning is pretty surprising when you consider that in 2005, of the 156 line-of-duty deaths in the US, 44% of them were from assaults on officers.
One can only wonder how many of them could have been prevented with the proper training. Fortunately, MMA training camps – such as Arizona’s Power MMA and Fitness are specifically gearing their teachings towards officers' on-the-job demands.
“The tactics currently taught to cops by their agencies may work in a perfect world but let’s face it, the world isn’t perfect and never will be, so you need new material,” says Mason Minner, an Arizona deputy sheriff and MMA fight instructor to officers at Power MMA and Fitness.
The situation is much the same across the pond in Britain.
“The UK police self-defense program is very limited – a one-day annual certification course that includes baton and handcuff training, so we’re not producing ninjas,” says UK police inspector Mike who is also a competitive MMA practitioner (his surname is omitted due to confidentiality reasons).
Unfortunately, this results in the average officers being more likely to rely on instinct and adrenaline than his department-issued techniques, unless you regularly get in the ring with someone that is.
“Training in MMA gives a better understanding of adrenaline, its effects on behavior and individual abilities which is gained from hours of sparring,” says Minner. “This helps to better judge threats and react in a proportionate and appropriate way.”
Putting it all together
Not only is extra-curricular MMA training important for keeping officers alive, but it can also improve their job performance.
This is largely because the best MMA fighters are apt at multitasking by combining a variety of skills with an innate ability to read an opponent. Research at Georgia State University found that in the midst of life-threatening situations – requiring split-second decisions – those police officers with a higher ability to multitask are less likely to shoot unarmed persons when feeling threatened during video simulations.
“People with a higher capacity to multitask are able to keep more things 'in play' at one time,” says study author Heather Kleider.
“An important thing to consider is that some decision-making requires controlled processing wherein accurate decisions require impulse control.”
So even though justice is supposed to be blind, it does take everything into account.
And that is the heart of most MMA success: patiently waiting for an opportunity – without leaving yourself open to attack – and instantly capitalizing on it to win.
Unfortunately, MMA training amongst officers is still not as widespread as it should be. Carroll weighs in: “The majority of officers do not participate in any type of martial arts. Out of an agency of 1000 officers I’m the only one who competes. And the ones that do train seem to be doing it because they enjoy the sport, not necessarily because they feel it will help them in their jobs.”
So although the benefits of the sport are catching on, this is happening because officers are just like you: fans. They train to shadowbox against their favorite fighters, not in the event that they have to stop a heavyweight monster with a machete.
Police specific training
You wouldn’t bring a knife to a gunfight so trying to put your dukes up to a criminal who may possess deadly hands and an even deadlier weapon is likely to see him coming out on top. It’s understandable then that the officers who are MMA training are doing it to gear their skills to the job. “Most officers are involved with jiu-jitsu,” says Carroll.
“So I teach a lot of clinch work. Controlling the upper body, head and hands and takedowns from the clinch, as trying to shoot for the legs isn’t practical for law enforcement.”
You can only imagine the outcome of a takedown if the suspect has a concealed knife or gun.
Other trainers agree, Minner says: “In law enforcement the most important MMA style to train in is grappling because no matter what happens on the street between a cop and a suspect, it almost always ends up on the ground battling for position.
Boxing is also very important for those times that the suspect does not just want to get away but wants to put hurt on you.”
But it’s not just the technique and skills that MMA is helping the force with, because cage-ready fitness is more job specific than lacing up your running shoes. “Many people don't realize how taxing it is to fight somebody even for 30 seconds. You may be able to run five miles but that does not translate to fighting.
Fighting is an extremely high-intensity, anaerobic event on the body.”
And sweating in an MMA gym a few times a week means officers will puff less when they’re on the beat down.
Research in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness found that both men and women who train martial arts just twice a week had a well above average endurance capacity, upper-body power and flexibility. Bringing that conditioning to the squad car is going to make every cop’s job easier, a criminal’s life harder and the streets safer.
But the big difference between the Octagon and the beat is on the streets there are no rules, and that can bring out a darker side of the force.
“We never fight fair on the street and will try to use every advantage you have available,” says Carroll. If you’re thinking 'police brutality,' you’re wrong, it’s more a case of fighting fire with fire, in their interests and yours. “The most important skill for a police officer is the ability to diffuse a situation verbally,” says UK police inspector Mike.
“There are no winners when an incident turns violent. When officers start rolling around with suspects it often results in injuries.
Officers want to do their job then go home to see their families and turn up for work the following day.” After all, injuring either the public or an officer can damage community relations and create poor perceptions of the police. This is not a sport – real lives are on the line.
Fortunately the core teaching of most martial arts is self-control, making the sport a good choice for both officers and the public.
Mentally arresting
Being a police officer is one of the toughest jobs on the planet.
Not only is it risky, but you often have to suppress your emotions when confronted with horrific scenarios. And the stuff officers see in an average working day can become engrained into their core.
Research at Buffalo University found that the stress levels associated with the job make officers more likely to suffer from a heart attack than normal folk.
“Policing is a psychologically stressful work environment filled with danger, high demands, ambiguity in work encounters, human misery and exposure to death,” said Dr John Violanti, the study author and a 23-year veteran of the New York State Police.
This is where MMA can be the most beneficial – by helping with stressful situations, both during and afterwards.
“If you're fighting with the suspect on the street you have to have a do-or-die mentality,” says Carroll. “I've found that you have to have that same mentality when fighting in the cage to be successful.
Granted, the consequences of losing a fight in the cage may not be as dire as losing on the street, but that same mentality is present in successful fighters and police officers.
I find fighting in a cage more stressful because you know it's coming but don't know what to expect. When you deal with a criminal on the street it happens so fast and unexpectedly you don't have the time to be nervous.”
MMA also works to relax officers after a stressful event.
Research at the University of Colorado found that guys who exercise regularly are less likely to be stressed thanks to work and less likely to get sick after stressful situations than people who don’t exercise.
And if you’ve ever hit a bag or sparred then you’ll know how the single focus blocks out distractions and leaves you with that good endorphin kick. “We actually have many officers that train not only for self-defense at work but to keep the stresses from work down,” says Minner.
The crossover isn’t limited to amateur fighters. “Back in high school, people always asked what you want to be, and I was always for law enforcement,” says former UFC heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia, now a Ohio police officer. “I love it. It’s hard to retire from fighting because it’s competitive so a job like this fills the void left when we stop competing.” He’s one officer you wouldn’t want to give any sass to.
May the force be with you
While an MMA fighter steps in the cage, bares his heart and soul and punishes his body all in the name of glory, they can win or lose, go home and rest their war-torn bodies. Law enforcement officers are not afforded this luxury. Their battle with crime is constant.
They are at work the following day ready to take the scum off the streets. So, much like your heroes in MMA, spare a thought for the heroes that are fighting an even bigger battle day in, day out.
It's because of these warriors that you can sleep safe at night.
As for the criminals, they may want to think twice next time they decide to mug an old lady in the street, because instead of being wrapped up in handcuffs and sent straight to the slammer, they may find themselves wrapped up in the clinch and slammed straight into the sidewalk.
Moves every officer needs
Sergeant Don Gulla, who teaches combat skills to police, gives his essential MMA moves for officers.
- Sprawl: This prevents takedowns and helps you stay mobile on your feet.
- Side Mount: All officers should be able to hold a suspect down using a side mount as it protects the firearm and makes handcuffing easier.
- Sweep from guard: Officers must be able to get out of guard to a controlling position on top. Failing to do so lets the suspect get your gun off your belt.
- Escape from a rear naked choke hold: Anyone who has watched an MMA bout knows how effective this can be so is likely to try it on an officer.
MMA's greatest enforcers
Long before they were knocking teeth out in martial arts, they were wrapping handcuffs around criminals, here are some of the elite law-enforcement officers who you wouldn't want to cross.
Forrest Griffin
If you were forced to choose between being hit by a police baton or hit by a pair of four-ounce gloves the decision would be easy – not if former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin was on the end of them. While attending school, Griffin served as a law-enforcement officer for the Richmond County Sheriff's Office in Augusta, Georgia.
Yet his law-enforcement legacy doesn't stop there. He also served as a patrol officer with the University of Georgia Police. It wasn't until he persuaded UFC president Dana White to let him on the first series of The Ultimate Fighter before Griffin hung up his handcuffs and stepped into the cage full-time.
'Big' John McCarthy
Before 'Big' John was screaming “Let's get it on!” in the Octagon he was shouting “Take 'em away” as a police officer for the LAPD.
Using his vast knowledge of self defense, Big John even taught the officers how to protect themselves.
Standing six-foot-four and weighing in excess of 240lb, you'd hope he was on your watch.
Steven Seagal
Seagal certainly isn't Above the Law; he is the law! Serving as the Reserve Deputy Chief of the Sheriff's Office in the community of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, the aikido master and action film star really does practice what he preaches. Seagal also released a television series called Steven Seagal: Lawman which followed his daily duties, drawing in 3.6 million viewers in it's first week.
Not surprisingly, Jefferson Parish remains a peaceful place, yet what criminal would want to be Under Siege with Seagal hunting them down?
The Honorary Officer
Jon Jones isn’t one for saving his skills for the Octagon.
Just seven hours before his bout in UFC 128, Jones was alerted to a guy breaking into an old couple's car. The robber saw him and ran. Jones chased the suspect down, foot swept him and held him down until the police came. He should at least get a few parking ticket credits for putting his career on the line in the name of justice.
The Stakeout Workout
Long shifts in cars can put the handbrake on the blood flow to your muscles. Here’s how to keep your strength up when you’re on the road, without leaving the driver’s seat
- Steering wheel tension: Grab the steering wheel with your hands parallel to one another and at chest height. Squeeze the steering wheel as hard as you can so that you feel the tension in your chest. Hold for 30 seconds. That’s one rep. Do 10 reps. “This is called an isometric exercise and teaches your muscles to stay flexed without cramping, which could end your fight,” says strength and MMA coach Brendan Chaplin. Plus you’ll look like you’ve banged out a few fresh sets of press-ups even though you’ve been parking off.
- Suck it in: Sit upright in the car and place your hands on the wheel.
- Keep your chest lifted then suck in your belly button towards your spine – remembering to breath – and hold for 10–20 seconds. That’s one rep. Do four sets of 12 reps. “This will teach your gut to stay flexed so it can absorb punches.”
- Glute lifts: Sit in the driver’s seat with your hands on the steering wheel. Put your feet flat on the floor then lift your glutes off the seat by pushing down with your feet. “This switches on your glutes, the biggest muscle in your body, which is responsible for stronger kicks and improved balance.”
- Arm lifts: Sit in the driver’s seat and open your door slightly. Grab onto the top of the door with your arm and bend your elbow to curl your body weight off your seat. Hold for 10 seconds. That’s one rep. Do five sets of eight reps. “This builds static strength in the elbows and hands that you can use in prolonged periods of grappling.”
Tales from the streets
Real-life stories of how cops have used MMA moves against criminals.
Eric Davis: Federal Way Police Department in Washington State
It was 3am in the morning and Davis was chasing three suspects reported to have stolen a vehicle. They ran down an alley near a shopping mall and as he rounded the corner two of them were waiting. Suspect number one shot in for a double-leg takedown. Davis sprawled and pushed the suspect to the ground.
As this was happening suspect number two approached and Davis drew out his Taser, which scared off his suspect. Suspect number one spun again and attempted another takedown. Davis sprawled again and pushed away the suspect, Tasered him and took him into custody. Criminals 0, MMA 1.
Omak Police officer, Washington State
The officer (who wishes to remain unnamed) came across two suspects fighting on the ground in a poorly lit area. The officer stated a series of verbal commands and the suspects separated and one of them approached the officer. Due to the darkness the officer couldn’t see if the suspect had a weapon. The officer drew his sidearm and gave more commands to back down but the suspect kept advancing at a rapid pace. As the suspect came closer he pulled his gun in close and front-kicked the suspect in the chest. As he stumbled back the officer advanced on him, pinned him down and arresting him.
Afterward the officer said that if it had not been for his MMA training he would have shot the suspect or been in a wrestling match with his weapon out. Criminals 0, MMA 2.
...
