Sheriff Rex Coffey, Major Joseph “Buddy” Gibson and instructors at the Southern Maryland Jujitsu Academy celebrate success of the thirteen defensive tactics graduates. (Photo courtesy CCSO)
LA PLATA, Md. (Feb. 2, 2008)—The Charles County Sheriff’s Office recently enlisted local martial arts expert Sean McBroom to provide defensive tactics training during a 40-hour course held Jan. 14 through the 18th at the Southern Maryland Jujitsu Academy in White Plains. McBroom is the owner and master instructor of the academy.
Thirteen officers including eight from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, two from the Prince George’s Police Department and one each from the Greenbelt Police Department and St. Mary’s and Calvert counties sheriffs’ offices participated in the training.
McBroom, who has more than 15 years of experience teaching defensive tactics to federal and state law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, taught the Instructor-Level Basic Defensive Tactics School with assistance from three senior instructors at the jujitsu academy including William Crews, Patrick Crews and Warren Sollers.
The jujitsu training provided methods for officers to defend themselves not only while standing but also after being knocked to the ground, where most attacks on police officers are ultimately fought. A Sheriff’s Office spokesman said it is essential for officers to know how to defend themselves on the ground.
“The Sheriff’s Office approached Mr. McBroom because jujitsu is a very practical martial art which allows anyone to defend themselves,” said Lt. Reynal Aportadera, commander of the Southern Maryland Criminal Academy. “With jujitsu, you do not have to be strong or big to make it work. Jujitsu uses the attacker’s leverage, strength and momentum against himself. This knowledge allows even the smallest officer to gain compliance from a much larger attacker.”
“It’s a privilege and an honor to be chosen to conduct the defensive tactics instruction to police officers,” said McBroom. “The police officers of Charles County deal day to day with severe and sometimes life-threatening situations. I am positive that a basic understanding of jujitsu techniques will make any police officer more confident in their ability to deal with a suspect without feeling the needs to draw a weapon until that needs absolutely arises. In addition, he or she will feel much more secure in their ability to retain their own weapons, should such a scenario occur.”
After completing the intensive training, each participate was certified as a defensive tactics instructor. For the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, this means eight instructor-level officers are certified to teach other officers practical defensive tactics to better protect the citizens of Charles County.