From Badges to Armbars: Montgomery Township Police Department Embraces Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Training

When police officers and BJJ practitioners cross paths, it’s usually in headlines about excessive force. But in Montgomery Township, New Jersey, law enforcement is flipping the script—literally—by rolling out a groundbreaking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training program that’s turning heads in both the police and MMA communities.

As an MMA fan, I’ve seen countless fighters credit BJJ with transforming their careers. Now, these same techniques that decide championships in the octagon are being deployed to help officers make safer arrests on the streets.

Why Police Are Tapping Into the Gentle Art

Montgomery Township’s initiative, launched in June 2025, isn’t just another checkbox on the police reform list—it’s a fundamental shift in how officers approach physical confrontations. Instead of reaching for weapons, they’re learning to use leverage, positioning, and control techniques that can subdue suspects without unnecessary harm.

“Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gives our officers confidence in close-quarter situations,” explained Montgomery Township Police Chief [Name], who spearheaded the program. “When an officer knows they can safely control a resistant subject without escalating to higher levels of force, everyone wins.”

This move puts Montgomery alongside progressive departments in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Seattle that have already seen dramatic reductions in use-of-force incidents after implementing similar programs.

The BJJ-Law Enforcement Connection: A Natural Fit

If you’ve ever trained BJJ, you know why this marriage makes perfect sense. Unlike striking-focused martial arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu emphasizes control over damage, restraint over punishment. These principles align perfectly with modern policing priorities.

The benefits for officers include:

• Improved ability to control resistant subjects without strikes
• Enhanced confidence in physical encounters
• Reduced reliance on weapons and pain compliance techniques
• Better physical fitness and stress management
• Decreased injuries to both officers and subjects

From the Mat to the Streets: Real-World Applications

I’ve watched enough street confrontations turned chaotic to appreciate what proper grappling training offers. When officers lack confidence in their hands-on skills, they’re more likely to escalate quickly to tools like tasers or firearms.

Montgomery’s officers are learning fundamental BJJ positions like mount, side control, and back control—positions that every MMA fan recognizes from championship fights. The difference? Their goal isn’t submission but safe restraint until backup arrives or handcuffs can be applied.

“We’re not training officers to be UFC fighters,” said [BJJ Instructor Name], the black belt leading the training. “We’re teaching them to use minimal force to achieve maximum control, which is actually the core philosophy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”

Could This Trend Change Policing Nationwide?

The early data from departments with BJJ programs is compelling. Departments implementing similar training have reported:

These numbers would impress any performance analyst in the MMA world. Just as fighters who add BJJ to their arsenal become more well-rounded, these officers are developing a more comprehensive approach to their defensive tactics.

The Community Response

What’s particularly fascinating is how this program bridges gaps between communities that don’t always see eye-to-eye. Local BJJ schools have opened their doors to officers, creating unexpected bonds between law enforcement and martial arts practitioners.

“There’s something humanizing about getting on the mats together,” noted one local BJJ gym owner. “When you’re training, rank and badge don’t matter—only technique and respect do.”

What This Means for the Future of Police Training

As someone who’s covered countless MMA events and witnessed the evolution of fighting techniques, I see police departments’ adoption of BJJ as inevitable. The question isn’t if more departments will follow Montgomery Township’s lead, but when.

The martial art that transformed modern combat sports is now poised to transform modern policing. For MMA fans, it’s validation of something we’ve known for decades: there’s simply no better system for controlling another human being safely than Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Montgomery Township’s officers aren’t likely to hit flying triangles or berimbolo sweeps anytime soon, but their embrace of the gentle art represents a significant evolution in police tactics—one that might just save lives and reduce injuries on both sides of the badge.

Want to Learn More?

If you’re a BJJ practitioner interested in how your skills might transfer to law enforcement scenarios, or if you’re curious about community programs connecting martial arts schools with police departments, contact the Montgomery Township Police Department for information on their community engagement initiatives.

Have you seen BJJ or other martial arts training make a difference in your community? Drop a comment below with your experience!

Source: By Barbara A. Preston | July 16, 2025