I have been studying the Ronin Jiu-Jitsu martial arts system with Sensei Randy Martin, for nearly four year, recently obtaining a brown belt. I started taking it to improve my ability to control the violent confrontations that take place regularly during my course duties as a police officer. I expected to learn great techniques. I didn't expect it to change me inside.

The following story is in general terms for the purposes of protecting this person's privacy.

Recently I was requested to assist in the arrest of a person currently in the peak of a manic episode of mental illness. I attend the situation with appropriate back-up. Before its peak, it had been an affair drawn out over several days with several appeals made to the person to seek professional assistance with their illness. It was almost successful until the person who was supposed to received medical treatment at the local hospital had a personal tragedy which sent them further into their episode.

This person began to engage in risky activities dangerous to themselves and others around them that could have lead to serious injury or death.

After arriving at the location and failed communication between us, the person ran for a pile of 4 inch fence posts and grabbed one to use as a weapon. I intercepted the person before they could start hitting us with the post and utilized a succession of techniques until my partners and I safely apprehended the person and secured them in the rear of the police vehicle. This person kicked out the rear window of our vehicle and almost succeed in head-butting the window of the plexi-glass protector that separates the front and rear of our police vehicle. We stopped our vehicle and I used a simple straight arm pressed against the person's upper torso until I could use the seatbelt to hold the person securely to prevent them from jumping out the broken window and from hurting themselves from head-butting the glass. At the hospital, this person attempted to kick me in the groin. I could see this person lining themselves up for the kick and I was able turn away from the kick and to catch it just before I swept the person to the ground. Rick Krego, a paramedic and black belt in our club, was at the hospital and assisted by tying the person's legs in knot to prevent them from kicking everyone else, including the doctor's and nurses, from the ground. My partners, I, and Rick, clearly communicated and acted as a team and brought this person into a secure room where they received much needed treatment. The situation diffused and everyone walked away unhurt.

I had to sit down and reflect on the incident. I noted my best tool was me remaining cool and clear headed and working on effective solutions to the offensive attacks and preventing any type of injuries to the person. I was able to change my techniques mid-stream, seeing the attacks coming, and respond with firm but minimal force necessary.

Sometime I get frustrated because I think I am not good enough, I don't get enough time to practice or I am not advancing fast enough. I didn't realize how ingrained things I have learned have become.

To make my point, I was comfortable. Being attacked in hundreds of different ways by dozens of different people over the last four year made me able to adapt and respond quickly and efficiently. I go to class consistently, always working towards my black belt. It will be my first but not last goal. In the mean time, the benefit seems to be a cool head in and control of violent confrontations which, today, is enough for me.

Cst. Mike Wicentowich

RONIN JIU-JITSU & KOBUDO
Vernon Dojo

Mike Wicentowich