LEXINGTON — Members of the Mansfield Police Department spent one day last week learning how to escape from harm’s way.
There were 32 law enforcement officers fulfilling their annual state requirement of in-service training at Team Chitwood Martial Arts and FitnessĀ at 314 E. Main St. in Lexington. Officers learned to escape choke holds and other methods of close combat self defense. The entire department will undergo the training.
“The state of Ohio, through Ohio Police Officer Training Academy, requires every law enforcement officers to have four hours of ground-fighting (training) this year,” saidĀ Shawn Chitwood, owner of Team Chitwood Martial Arts and Fitness. “That happens to be my line of expertise as one of the state of Ohio’s experts.
“(I am) bringing them in, and getting them trained up on what they are required to learn this year. We’re having a relatively good time doing it.”
Chitwood has been involved with the MPD as a special deputy since 1995. He said his main expertise is training, and he operates by contract in several states outside of Ohio.
The head instructor of Team Chitwood said this year’s curriculum requires officers to learn how to control a subject, cuff them, protect their own firearm during a scuffle and protect themselves from harm while on the ground.
“Ninety-five percent of confrontations with the use of force go to close quarters when they’re on the ground,” Chitwood said.
Officers paired up and repeated lessons Chitwood demonstrated in front of them.
“One thing the Mansfield Police Department has always done is have defensive tactic training,” Capt. Shari Robertson said.
She has gone through the trainings numerous times throughout her 22-year career.
“This is not new for us, but it’s good to provide our officers with more options when it comes to physical encounters,” she said.
Chitwood agreed more options and ways to prepare for a hand-to-hand encounter helps the officers’ chance of safety, and the safety of the subject being detained. Ā Ā
“What we look at is: A. we want the officer to go home (safely) and B. We want the subject to have relative safety. Even if the subject fights the officer, we want to be able to control this person while doing as minimal damage as possible,” Chitwood said. “But it is reasonable force for an officer to have to do certain things given the actions done on the part of the subject.
“It’s safety. I want officers to go home safe, protect their firearms and control their subject safely,” Chitwood said. “It’s a big task.”
Robertson said the department is grateful for Chitwood using his expertise to voluntarily teach the department.
“We appreciate Shawn Chitwood not just opening up his facility to us,” she said. “But him using his expertise and him sharing that with our department and helping the community.”
