Colorado Springs police to use Jiu-Jitsu following use of force study

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. ( KXRM ) — The Colorado Springs Police Department is receiving money for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training to try and reduce harmful use of force.

That’s just one of several changes the department is making following a recent study on its training programs. The study was completed by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).

If you’re not familiar with Jiu-Jitsu, the report states that it focuses on controlling a person instead of fighting them. According to the report, a Jiu-Jitsu-trained officer could immobilize a person without ever throwing a single punch.

The police chief said the study showed some areas the department wants to improve upon. One area is de-escalation training, and the chief said he knows they need to provide more of it.

The firm that did the study recommends the department create a reward system for de-escalation efforts that go above and beyond.

“The few things that we were able to make recommendations, needed to be changed, they embraced them, and in many cases they started to make the recommendations while we were talking about it,” said Nancy Demme , with PERF.

For the past year, the research forum has been studying training within CSPD. The firm did ride-a-longs, focus groups, anonymous surveys and more. At the end of September, it released nearly 150 pages on its findings and recommendations.

“They want to be the best they can be, there was no defensiveness, and it’s a very progressive department. To have a more receptive group, and a more professional group, I’ve not had that experience, so thank you, Colorado Springs,” said Demme.

A key theme of the report was to increase or improve training, whether it be more training refreshers, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or practicing critical decision-making skills.

More than three-fourths of the sworn staff who responded to the forum’s survey said there is not enough emphasis on training defensive tactics and arrest control.

“This is really an important day for the city as we integrate some of these options and some of these ideas into our training,” said Adrian Vasquez, the Colorado Springs Police chief.

The study follows several lawsuits that claim CSPD officers used excessive force. For example, the 2022 case of Dalvin Gadson , where body cam video shows officers repeatedly punching the veteran in the head and back.

One study recommendation says supervisors should respond to active situations where officers are more likely to use force. It says supervisors need to oversee and assist in the decision-making process during the “high-risk” calls.

“The report we are discussing today is a critical tool, that will help guide our long-term vision to make Colorado Springs one of the safest cities in the United States, and also for us to become a more just community for everyone,” said Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade.

While the firm recommends more training, it also says CSPD “clearly” needs a new, specially built training facility. PERF said the training academy needs to have its own area to practice driving, since they currently practice in empty parking lots. They also said it needs to have a shooting range, as right now the department rents one out when they need it.

The firm also recommends virtual or simulated scenario rooms, several classrooms, training rooms, and an indoor cityscape for more training scenarios.

“They’re doubling what they’re going to use that space for, and it was already too crowded. The parking lot will never hold all these people. I don’t know where they will go or put them, but that it won’t hold them,” said Demme.

Chief Vasquez said the department is working on getting a new training facility every day, and that it’s matter of finding a location and funding. However, last election, voters said no to paying for a new facility using taxpayer money.

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