SHORINJI KEMPO in LAW ENFORCEMENT
BY TONY CORTINA AND SAMMY BRIGGS
Law enforcement and corrections officers have to use physical force to arrest suspects or defend themselves on a daily basis. Often, these encounters can instantly turn into violent confrontations. Criminals, including prison inmates, practice gun takeaways, strikes and grappling techniques with the intent to use them on police officers.
As police officers, we must remember that the "bad guys" are also fighting for their lives during confrontations. Therefore, we need every advantage that we can get. This is why studying martial arts is a necesity to help give us an advantage when reaching to violent confrontations and to prevent officers from being injured or even killed.
All martial arts have strengths and weaknesses. What makes an individual effective is the combination of studying an art and being mentally prepared for violent confrontations. Shorinji Kempo is a great martial art for police officers because all of the techniques are applicable to law enforcement. Because the strikes, blocks and join locks all target verious pressure points on the human body, minimal power is needed, which makes the art effective for officers of all sizes and strengths. Shorinji Kempo's physically and mentally intense training sessions help develop the proper mindset for dealing with violent confrontations. This is undoubtedly why shorinji kempo is used in law enforcement and the military in Japan.
About the writers: Tony Cortina is an officer with the West Covina, California Police Dept. and is currently assigned to the K-9 and SWAT units. Sammy Briggs is with the Los Angeles Police Department and also an arrest and control instructor. Both officers are assistant instructors at the Shorinji Kempo of Hollywood dojo.
[ Tony Cortina | Sammy Briggs | Michael Mullins ]