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Stafford Police highlight defensive-tactics training for recruits to reduce force use
Summary
The Stafford Police Department demonstrated defensive tactics training aimed at maintaining officer control over suspects and reducing reliance on intermediate weapons. Trainees practiced holds, takedowns and weapon-retention techniques; a new officer said the training increased confidence, particularly for women officers.
The Stafford Police Department showcased defensive-tactics training for recruits, emphasizing techniques intended to maintain officer control, prevent weapon access by suspects and reduce reliance on intermediate weapons such as tasers, the broadcast said.
A Stafford Police Department spokesperson described the training as focused on maintaining control as a single officer and listed specific exercises including Americana arm locks, arm bars, handcuffing transitions, takedowns and weapon-retention drills. The spokesperson said the goal is to “mitigate major uses of force” and allow officers to control suspects without immediately resorting to other weapons.
A new officer who participated in the training described gaining confidence from hands-on instruction: “Before this training...I didn't really have much experience with self defense. And coming out of the academy, we learned, you know, a little bit just basics. But with this training, yesterday and today, we've gotten a lot more experience with on the ground combat training...and I've gained a lot of knowledge that I'll be able to take to the streets to make me feel more confident, more safe, especially being a woman,” the recruit said.
The broadcast presented the training as a professional-development activity; no policy changes or formal departmental directives were announced during the segment.
