In the last 30 days I have taught 9 different law enforcement instructors courses and I have seen an interesting trend. Many of these fantastic instructors I worked with shared a reoccurring thought when I would present a technique or principle. They would tell me "well...unless it is super simple, cops are not going to get it". The idea behind this is that officers and professional security personnel are incapable of learning and executing anything but the most simple techniques and principles. After over two decades of working in this field, my answer to this thought is "BS". Forgive the even suggested explicative, but this is very important to me. To suggest that professionals in these fields are essentially physically incompetent is reflective of the lack of training that they get. This in of itself is a two part problem. Obviously department budgets are tight and training is put on the back burner in many cases. There is also the issue of officers that simply do not want to train.
The end point that I would like to make from this is simple. Do not use this as a crutch. That is exactly what it is. The mentality that everything must be simple and easy reflects a developing culture. As men and women who put your lives on the line day in and day out, I encourage you not to fall prey to this. You are capable of learning and executing any real combative and defensive technique so long as it is taught correctly and you continue to train. I will once again bring up the "Warrior Mind". You must have a warrior mind and believe in yourself and abilities. While it is easier to let people simplify things, at times that simplification also takes the teeth out of techniques and principles. Expect more of yourself. In the end I dare you to be great and be more than the current culture expects you to be.
Until we train together again - my best to you all!
Fred Mastison
President - Force Options Tactical Training Solutions
