Lactate Threshold & BEA Safety

Due to my regular training program, I have a resting heart rate of around 50 beats per minute from cardio training--while maintaining above-average strength as the result of regular weight training.

It is my position that most arrests are uneventful to the extent that my personal level of physical fitness is rarely needed; however, there is always that chance that an arrest may require a foot pursuit, or the ability to run to safety may be needed, or the ability to rush to the aide of a partner is necessary; therefore, it stands to reason that keeping in shape is a vital part of the trade in terms of safety.

The time to discover one's limitations is by and through training in a controlled environment versus on the unforgiving streets where there may be no 'time-outs' or 'do-overs' or even 'tap-outs.'

A part of my cardio training involves operating just below lactate threshold, which is just before muscles start to give out, for 60-minutes or longer. I know that I will hit lactate threshold at around 178 beats per minute, so I keep my heartrate at around 165.

The problem is that not all individual sport activities are suited for what might occur on the streets, which is why I cross-train.

Take stand-up boxing for example. When was the last time you sparred with someone? If you never have or haven't for a long time then how do you know how your body will respond under the stress of boxing?

What about grappling? This is like running and lifting weights at the same time. I've been known to roll for 90-minutes non-stop, but I'm probably good for about 15-minutes right now at the most and depending on the level of intensity from my opponent.

Sure. One may be able to make dozens & dozens of arrests without ever having to get anywhere near lactate threshold, but what if that one arrest develops into a situation where your physical fitness is so poor that you have no choice but to either surrender or utilize deadly force to protect your life or the life of another?

Take a moment and think about it with an open mind, if you will.

Rex

My stance is that all public servants should be in at least "good" physical condition. I am not talking about bodybuilding... I am talking about having the means necessary to offset a potentially dangerous situation (like Rex said). This also goes along with presenting yourself professionally. This is a great attribute to bring to the trade.

As an agent, it is essential that he/she expects the unexpected. I have heard of too many bad outcomes because the BEA relied too much on his firearm and not his physical strength and/or not using verbal de-escalation.

Luckily i moved into a house that has a weight bench in the basement, and some really health conscience room mates, one is an avid biker, one is on the U of A tennis team, and the other one just likes to lift and look tough.

mid next month i'll be driving to Tulsa, ok once a week, to start
Krav-Maga training, although its and hour drive from my home, i'm really excited about learning this self defense style, I have many years of Tae kwon do and MUAY THAI training, and i'm looking forward to getting back into shape.

also responding to an earlier post, are there not physical requirements for law enforcement?, not only during the hiring process but, through out the job?, now that you all mention it, I have seen some over weight police, highway patrol and sheriffs officers around here.

link ---- http://www.kravmaga.com/

I remember driving over three hours/three times a week when the only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training I could get was in a distant city, but the time and expense was well worth it.

I am aware of several cases where police officers were subjected to physical stress and then died from heart failure.

In one case, a Stockton Police Officer died approximately one mile into a foot chase, and another city cop died on the way to the county jail with the prisoner he had just fought into handcuffs in his car.

Unlike cops, BEAs can alter their schedules to include some type training; however, a heavy case load can put the brakes on a regular training program.

I have a working knowledge of various martial art systems, but I have never studied Krav Maga. I'd be interested in learning how that system might be applied to BE work.

With respect to verbal de-escalation, learning how to diffuse a situation is critical and well worth the time to study.

Rex

I took Krav Maga for almost a year. Depending on the instructor, it can either be really great or almost worthless. Either way it's usually a decent cardio workout. Again, depending on the instructor, you go through the basic strikes and kicks, all of it very practical. If you get a decent instructor, you get to learn some basic knife/gun disarms which seem as though they might be pretty useful in this profession. However, Krav Maga is very much a self defense system, and a lot of the techniques might be a little to "harsh" to use on someone you're trying to apprehend. I don't really know how rough you guys are allowed to get with skips, but there are other self defense systems/arts (like bjj) that utilize a lot of joint locks and restraint techniques that would be very useful in your line of work.

Although I am not in the shape I once was, I am working to at least get some of it back.
In the past I have taken self defense classes in Tae Kwan Do, Kick boxing and Judo. In 15 years of Law Enforcement (most of it in a cell block) I found my Judo skills were the most used and useful. Working in Corrections, I had plenty of chances to use these moves.
Judo is Japanese for "the gentle way". A series of throws, arm bars and chokes. It is easy to learn, you spend a LOT of training time doing "mat work" or grappling. I have had the opportunity to train with Olympic medalist Jim Pedro (who learned from his father). Unfortunately, I cannot afford the new rates at his school.
In 3 civilian academies and Army MP school, my Judo training allowed me to counter all of the latest, greatest unarmed self defense techniques. I even countered an Army instructor and dropped him. He was so impressed with the technique, he asked me to show him how to do it. Then, for the rest of the week, whenever they needed a "volunteer" for demo purposes, guess who got chosen? I was the training tool for handcuffs, baton, choke holds etc for the next 6 days. Ooops.
So, if you can find a GOOD Judo school (not a Martial Arts mini mall) check it out and see if it is to you liking.