How a simple partnership between Milan Police and a local BJJ gym is showing the world why every cop should train jiu-jitsu
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Milan Police Department partners with J5 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Grants, New Mexico, providing free training through the national “Adopt A Cop” program
- Training costs nothing to police departments – officers only need to commit their time
- The program focuses on control over force, helping officers handle situations without reaching for tasers or pepper spray first
- Benefits go beyond physical skills – training provides stress relief, confidence, and better decision-making under pressure
- J5 BJJ is the sixth gym in New Mexico certified to provide free training for police and first responders
- The program is open to all first responders including fire, dispatch, corrections, and state police
It all started with a kid learning jiu-jitsu. But what happened next might change how police officers across America handle dangerous situations.
Chief Carl Ustupski of the Milan Police Department was watching Joey Gonzales teach his son Carson some Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu moves at J5 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Grants, New Mexico. That’s when it hit him like a lightning bolt.
“Man, that move right there could have saved us a use-of-force review two months ago,” Chief Ustupski thought to himself.
That simple moment sparked a partnership that’s now reshaping how local law enforcement trains for high-pressure encounters. The goal? Fewer injuries, less reliance on tasers and pepper spray, and way more confidence when things get physical.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
Here’s something that might shock you: most police officers get less than four hours of hands-on defensive tactics training per year. Think about that for a second. These are people who might need to physically control dangerous situations, but they get less training time than most BJJ practitioners get in a single week.
Chief Ustupski knows this problem firsthand. He went nearly a decade after the police academy without any defensive tactics training. “We’re expected to de-escalate dangerous situations, but most officers haven’t been trained to handle physical encounters without reaching for a tool,” he explained. “Tasers fail. OC spray fails. You’ve got to have more than just gadgets.”
That’s where Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu comes in like a game-changer.
The Science Behind Why BJJ Works for Cops
Research is backing up what practitioners have known for years – jiu-jitsu training makes law enforcement safer for everyone involved. Studies have shown some incredible results:
- Police departments with BJJ training programs have seen significant reductions in use of force incidents
- Officer injuries drop dramatically when officers know how to control situations on the ground
- Suspect injuries also decrease because officers can control without having to strike or use weapons
- Officer confidence increases, leading to calmer decision-making under pressure
Joey Gonzales, a former professional fighter who opened J5 Jiu-Jitsu, puts it perfectly: “It’s confidence. It’s discipline. It’s about being in control without having to hurt someone.”