LEJJ Program
Our LEJJ or 'Law Enforcement Jiu-jitsu' program focuses on de-escalation and control strategies taken from primarily from Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. The training includes positions, escapes, and restraints related to physical engagements in the line of duty. The idea is to reduce risks in such situations for both officers and the people that they restrain when the need arises. Additional strategies are taken from other martial arts for defending punches, kicks, etc. Virtually no ‘submissions’ are included in this training.
The material in our LEJJ program has been developed in collaboration with active Law Enforcement officers in order to address a variety of situations that they have faced or could encounter in the future. The strategies are developed and tested to insure optimal application and high success rates. Although participating officers are encouraged to attend our 'mainstream' classes, our LEJJ program is specifically designed for the duties that officers are required to perform in the field.
The program was initiated by partnering with the Pittsfield Police Department to arrange to have a group of its officers train at ZenQuest on a regular basis. For years Senseis Connie and Mark of ZenQuest would have discussions with now retired Chief Mike Wynn and other officers about the benefits of Jiu-jitsu training for Law Enforcement Officers. After some training for even a short time it was obvious to the officers that Jiu-jitsu is tremendously beneficial to anyone whose job requires them to engage with people physically at times.
In recent years there have been several Law Enforcement agencies in the U.S. that have done trial programs like this with great success. There is documented proof now that this training helps to reduce injuries for both officers and the people that they engage with, and that this training results in fewer incidents of officers using the tools on their duty belts such as a baton, pepper spray, taser or firearm.
Aside from being better equipped with safe techniques to escape or restrain individuals, this type of training gives officers the ability to ‘scramble’ or move intelligently and maintain control of chaotic situations. Having the ability to control situations better also tends to reduce stress levels for officers, making them genuinely calmer and more likely to wind up in an escalated confrontation. Lastly, LEJJ training tends to reduce officer stress and anxiety levels, and a wide variety of related health risks.
This program is open to officers from other agencies. At present two classes per week are designated specifically for Officer training, but participants are encouraged to attend additional classes to supplement this.
Special thanks to Chief Wynn for his part in developing the LEJJ program.
The material in our LEJJ program has been developed in collaboration with active Law Enforcement officers in order to address a variety of situations that they have faced or could encounter in the future. The strategies are developed and tested to insure optimal application and high success rates. Although participating officers are encouraged to attend our 'mainstream' classes, our LEJJ program is specifically designed for the duties that officers are required to perform in the field.
The program was initiated by partnering with the Pittsfield Police Department to arrange to have a group of its officers train at ZenQuest on a regular basis. For years Senseis Connie and Mark of ZenQuest would have discussions with now retired Chief Mike Wynn and other officers about the benefits of Jiu-jitsu training for Law Enforcement Officers. After some training for even a short time it was obvious to the officers that Jiu-jitsu is tremendously beneficial to anyone whose job requires them to engage with people physically at times.
In recent years there have been several Law Enforcement agencies in the U.S. that have done trial programs like this with great success. There is documented proof now that this training helps to reduce injuries for both officers and the people that they engage with, and that this training results in fewer incidents of officers using the tools on their duty belts such as a baton, pepper spray, taser or firearm.
Aside from being better equipped with safe techniques to escape or restrain individuals, this type of training gives officers the ability to ‘scramble’ or move intelligently and maintain control of chaotic situations. Having the ability to control situations better also tends to reduce stress levels for officers, making them genuinely calmer and more likely to wind up in an escalated confrontation. Lastly, LEJJ training tends to reduce officer stress and anxiety levels, and a wide variety of related health risks.
This program is open to officers from other agencies. At present two classes per week are designated specifically for Officer training, but participants are encouraged to attend additional classes to supplement this.
Special thanks to Chief Wynn for his part in developing the LEJJ program.
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"I was participating in the Law Enforcement Jiu-jitsu (LEJJ) program at ZenQuest for about 3 weeks before finding myself in an altercation with a suspect. The strategies and techniques I learned in my short time at ZenQuest, enabled me to effectively and safely gain control of, and restrain the subject until back up arrived. The incident also resulted in no injuries to either of us. I believe that prior to starting LEJJ, most of the strategies and techniques I would have used to resolve that encounter, would have posed a higher risk of injury to myself and to the subject. 5/5 stars."
~ LEJJ Participant
~ LEJJ Participant
"The LEJJ program is the most job applicable training/skill set an officer can receive/have. I believe the skills developed through the program are the most transferrable, especially for patrol, during their everyday duties and surpasses any other training that Officers can receive. As we know we are equipped with many different tools, but at the end of the day those tools do not put individuals into handcuffs and we ultimately have to go hands on and this training helps enhance Officers capabilities in handling those situations; especially those that go south once hands go on. The training not only makes Officers safer, but also enhances the safety of the public."
~ LEJJ Participant
~ LEJJ Participant
LEJJ Classes
Monday: 5:15 - 6:15 PM
Friday: 9:15 - 10:15 AM (Will resume on September 9, 2024)
Participants are also eligible to attend other Adult classes at ZenQuest
A complete version of our current class schedule can be seen HERE
Note: LEOs and other first responders receive a significant discount on enrollment. For more information contact us at 413-637-0656, or email at [email protected].
Friday: 9:15 - 10:15 AM (Will resume on September 9, 2024)
Participants are also eligible to attend other Adult classes at ZenQuest
A complete version of our current class schedule can be seen HERE
Note: LEOs and other first responders receive a significant discount on enrollment. For more information contact us at 413-637-0656, or email at [email protected].
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