About Police Judo

Mission Statement

Police Judo is a recreational judo training program designed for participants of all ages and skill levels. Police Judo combines low-risk, high-yield judo techniques with other martial arts training in order to develop strength, fitness, conditioning, self defense, and force options arrest and control skills for law enforcement. The underlying philosophy of Police Judo is based on the traditional judo principle to “take care of one’s partner” and promotes “mutual benefit and respect” for every student.

Core Values

Police Judo operates under the guiding core value of “Take Care of Your Partner”. This is imperative for law enforcement who have a duty of care for the people in their care.

Recreation – Training that can be maintained for life

Appropriate – Functional techniques and drills for the field of Law Enforcement

Safe – Demanding physical training without injury

Fitness – Challenging functional physical workout and training

Fun – Enjoyable for all partipants

What is Police Judo?

Police Judo is a recreational judo-based training program designed to help bridge the gap between sport and street. Police Judo combines the most suitable high-yield, low-risk judo techniques with control and force options tactics for the best physical training for law enforcement, functional fitness, as well as self-defence. Police Judo is designed to be assist students and applicants with their physical preparation for a career in law enforcement. It is also an ongoing training program that can help keep officers tactically sharp for the job, whether it is security, corrections, policing or other law enforcement professions. For those with no interest in law enforcement, Police Judo offers a fun and challenging martial arts training program with the underlying philosophy to “take care of your partner”. There are two Police Judo Clubs operating under the Law Enforcement Judo Association in BC.

Police Judo has been developed by law enforcement professionals who have decades of experience in use of force situations from the operational policing on the street, to work in correctional facilities. This is not a dojo-created training program developed by martial artists who have never put handcuffs on anyone, let alone testified on the application of their use of force. If you are training for law enforcement, make sure you know who you are training with and what their experience in policing and law enforcement is – outside of the dojo.

Training and the N.U.F.F.

The use-of-force model for law enforcement officers in Canada is the National Use of Force Framework. Police Judo believes that students should learn and understand the National Use of Force framework early in their Police Judo training. While sport rules govern traditional judo, students in police judo are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the national standards that guide law enforcement on the use of force. In doing so they are connecting their training with the real world and gaining an understanding that the lawful application of force is a constantly evolving, situation-driven process.

Belt Ranking and Grading

Police Judo adheres to the same belt ranking system as traditional judo starting at white belt, and moving through yellow belt, orange, green, blue, brown and then finally black belt. Police Judo will recognize the belts attained by students in traditional judo, so they are welcome to wear their coloured belt on the mat up to and including black belt in judo. However, if students want to obtain a black belt in Police Judo, they will have to register with Police Judo for this and register with the Head Instructor of their respective club. For students practicing at traditional judo clubs please adhere to the requirements of the club regarding grading and belt acceptance. There are many aspects of Police Judo training and techniques that are not covered in traditional judo practices, and a significant amount of techniques and training that we are not dedicating limited and valuable training time for as they have little utility for the real world application of judo.

Traditional vs Non-Traditional

This topic may be sensitive for some judo traditionalists, but we believe certain traditions are worth maintaining while others can be set aside. Many adults join martial arts to get fit, learn self-defense, and improve their lives; in Police Judo, this includes those preparing for careers in law enforcement.

Key traditions to uphold involve the foundational philosophies of judo: “taking care of one’s partner” and “mutual benefit and welfare.” These principles not only foster personal growth but also make judo particularly suited for law enforcement. We promote community involvement and ethical use of force as essential aspects of our training program.

Physical training elements—such as proper movement, break falls, throws, groundwork, and fitness—must also be preserved. Mastering basic skills is crucial before introducing more complex techniques relevant to law enforcement scenarios. Our focus shifts from sport-oriented techniques (which have less utility on the street) to low-risk, high-yield moves that are practical in real-life situations.

While learning Japanese terminology can enhance understanding later on, it’s more important that students articulate their training in English for reports or court testimony. The structure of our classes prioritizes effective use of time: warm-ups begin with joint rotations followed by movement drills without formal bow-ins. Respect is earned rather than demanded based on rank.

LETA Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct LETA Download

Police Judo Club Rules

Club Rules for Police Judo Download