Effective de-escalation skills. Training for multiple assailants. Weapon retention. These were just a few of the topics covered during a weeklong combat program for neighboring police forces, hosted by the University Public Safety from Nov. 10-14.
The Law Officers Combat Kinetics Unarmed Panoply (L.O.C.K.U.P.) combat program teaches immediate control tactics that can stop a situation from escalating. It is based on skeletal manipulation, ensuring minimal injury to both the suspect and officer.
Kevin Dillon, a retired Wethersfield, Conn. police lieutenant developed and teaches the course to a variety of law enforcement officials all over the country, including police officers, security guards and military personnel.
‘L.O.C.K.U.P. is the only recognized police system in the state,’ said Dillon. ‘All Connecticut police academies teach this.”
The program is designed to be very easy to learn and teach by utilizing simple but effective measures. It greatly reduces the need for officers to carry sticks and batons, according to Dillon.
Officers are taught verbal techniques and effective communication skills. Other topics include risk management for confrontations, legal aspects of use of force, report writing, controlling and managing fear and ground tactics.
Participants in the instructor’s program included two University Public Safety Officers, along with members from the Bronx Police Dept., Newtown Police, Veterans Police in West Haven, Sikorsky Aircraft, Hamden Police and Sacred Heart University Public Safety.
Patrick Cleary, a Fairfield Public Safety Officer, participated in the week-long program and compared the course to some of his training as a Marine.
‘It was an intense experience. We were on the mat eight hours a day practicing moves with little break,’ said Cleary.
One of the days included environmental training, where the class did their work outside in the rain. This is to give the participants practice in realistic settings, said Cleary.
After completing the instructor’s course, Cleary will now teach the L.O.C.K.U.P. program to the rest of the Public Safety Department at Fairfield. According to Cleary, once a month, the department receives training in different areas, and this program will be incorporated.
‘I think it’s good to have this program here. It dramatically drops the risk for myself and the aggressor,’ said Cleary, stressing the importance of officers knowing how to protect themselves.
Cleary recommends this program to other universities and thinks that, ‘every law enforcement aspect should be trained in this program at minimum.’
Some students, such as Mary DeSanatas ’11, are appreciative of this training, but do not see it as primary concern of the University, especially with average crime rates decreasing overall.
‘If it was a bigger school with more of a crime rate, then I can see spending the money,’ she said. ‘In since there is a decrease [in crime] I don’t see the reason.’
Yet, students have said that they feel safer knowing that our public safety officers are receiving this training.
‘I don’t think you could be more careful,’ said Beth Masterson ’09.
‘I feel more protected to know that Public Safety officers are being well trained to keep situations at a safer, less violent level,’ said Kaitlyn Chase ’10.
Dillon is also very pleased with Fairfield’s security.
‘I am very impressed with this university and the level of training and professionalism along with their concern with their students and officers.’
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