BJJ and Law Enforcement

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has found an important role in law enforcement and military training worldwide. Unlike many striking arts, BJJ emphasizes control, restraint, and submissions without relying on strikes that can cause lasting injury. This makes it especially valuable for officers who must subdue suspects safely while minimizing excessive force.

Programs such as the Gracie Survival Tactics system have been adopted by police departments, while branches of the U.S. military and international armed forces have integrated BJJ into their combatives programs. Critics point out the challenges of adapting sport-oriented techniques to real-world situations, but BJJ’s emphasis on control under pressure has made it one of the most widely endorsed martial arts for professional use-of-force scenarios.