Q:  I am a security guard and i want to keep my self defence training up to scratch.
I have attended the security training company and learnt one day training in wrist locks etc. but i want to know what is the best martial art a security officer should learn. there is a full time hapkido academy near me but i dont know exactly what they do, do u think i should learn this martial art for my work. i am coming across violent people in my work on the trains every night and i need to know wrist locks etc. also can u tell me what i should do if i am approaching a violent person who has his back to me and arguing with someone, what sort of hold could i put the person in to get him on the ground? thank you

A:  This is a form of the dreaded question, "Which is the best martial art?" I'm glad you are looking at a more realistic question of "Which martial art is best for me and for my particular circumstances?"

Actually, law enforcement and public safety defensive tactics are very, very specialized and you'll have a tough time finding what you need. Most "martial art" schools are teaching a form of recreation and/or discipline. There are a very few that are teaching cage fighting and other reality-based martial arts. (I'm not putting any schools down mind you, I owned a commercial one for almost 6 years.)

What you need will be very different than what most schools teach. Face it, the citizen only needs to 1. defend against an attack and then, 2. escape. If the citizen survives then he/she has succeeded. For the public safety officer you will have to 1. defend yourself against the attack, 2. control the suspect, and 3. arrest the suspect. You will RARELY be able to hit your suspect. Right there, you eliminate all sorts of schools and arts which mostly train with punches and kicks.

You will also have to deal with all sorts of other aspects like how to retain your firearm, OC spray, baton, etc.

Your questions about wrist locks indicate that you are on the right road. Personally, I know guys that are very, very good with wrist locks. They also have super strong grips. I have found that wrist locks are often unreliable when the suspect is young, flexible, on some sort of chemical and when they are sweaty.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for your grappling art.  I like some of the more comprehensive arts like Jeet Kune Do and I'm really liking a lot of the Filipino arts for baton.   You might also check out Krav Maga, but be upfront with the instructor on what you are trying to achieve.  For a great overview of styles, go the Henry Williamson's article on Selecting an Air Crew Self-Defense Training Program.

You might find that you will have to do a lot of self-study and attend seminars and specialized such as those offered by Steve Krystek at Progressive F.O.R.C.E. Concepts.

Brad Parker