Originally published by Tucson Local Media. Read the full article.
The Marana Police Department is hoping to raise awareness about the importance of using martial arts to prevent deadly use-of-force incidents.
Officers Eric Slabaugh and Brad Gill are defensive tactics instructors for the department. They are also members of the No Belt Required program, a program that launched in 2022 for active-duty law enforcement and first responders.
“No Belt Required is a program put together by the Erik Hite Foundation,” Slabaugh said.
“They recognized a need for effective low-cost training for law enforcement officers in regard to controlling subjects without causing injuries or any sort of use-of-force situations.”
Gill added, “The training is pressure-tested real-world martial arts techniques that are important for law enforcement to be able to better serve and protect our communities.”
Pima County Sheriff’s Department recruiting deputy Patricia Kelley participated in the program.
“I have two babies at home, and when I am out on patrol, if I come across a situation where I need to use some type of force, this definitely gives me the confidence to be able to handle myself in a better way,” Kelley said.
The program was created by former Tucson police officer Mike Pelton and his co-founder, Josh Beren. According to No Belt Required, the classes are focused on teaching skills that officers need to protect themselves and others through the use of repetitive defensive tactics as a de-escalation platform.
Classes are taught by a mix of law enforcement professionals and martial arts practitioners. NBR said the program has also received full AZPOST accreditation for continued training credit.
“The program is important to me, because the officers we have in the field are being asked to do more with less, and the climate with which they operate under is increasingly violent,” said Brendon Brumitt, Tucson police detective and NBR coach.
“Officers have never really been prepared for how bad the world can get, so I try to instill a martial aspect to keep them safe and intact for when they go home to their families. Additionally, I think positive conflict training keeps you psychologically prepared and willing to accept the consequences that come with conflict and keeps us mentally intact to go home to our families happy and healthy.”
Gill called the program vital.
“This has been an essential part of my law enforcement development over the last almost year and a half now. I wish I had this from Day 1. I have been in law enforcement for 12 years, and I wish this existed 12 years ago,” Gill said.
Pelton said he recognized a need for the program after he used this type of training when he was attacked by a man with a knife in 2016.
“It saved my life that night,” Pelton said.
“We are passionate about this program and the good it can do,” Beren added.
