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Understanding Parameters

While searching the internet for some specific information about a topic, I was drawn to tangential links which included the words, "Taiho-Jutsu". I clicked on many of the links, and the links attached to the links, and noted how many programs there were, resident and video, all claiming to offer superior, state-of-the-art programs in "Taiho-Jutsu". I carefully looked at these programs, and one of the conclusions arrived at was that the term "Taiho-Jutsu" was used generically as a catch-all for police tactics. Additionally, the use of a Japanese term was little more than a marketing tool. Some actually boasted that their program went beyond the original Japanese system. In many of these programs, the curriculum was quite extensive. Covered areas included hostage situations, airline hijacking, cruise ship security, physical conditioning, weapon use (bladed, baton, and firearms), cell entry and eviction, sentry neutralization, executive bodyguard, and prisoner transport. To be sure, there were some areas I've forgotten to mention. Again, these programs were indeed extensive. What needs to be asked, however, is whether or not these programs constitute Taiho-Jutsu, either in its true definition, or even in generic terms?

As I've noted in many article appearing in Arresting Solutions, Taiho-Jutsu refers to the specific course select S.A.C. personnel were taught as part of a comprehensive Combative Measures program when they were sent to Japan. The program was intense, and included various martial arts. The specific techniques of Taiho-Jutsu had (and continue to have) an underlying philosophy and approach, and these were reflected in all other arts taught as part of the Combative Measures program. While there were some variations seen in the Taiho-Jutsu courses set up by some of the U.S. Pioneers after they left the service, the underlying principles, concepts, and approach remained intact and consistent.

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What is important to keep in mind is that the Taiho-Jutsu aspect of the complete Combative Measures program was a program that was taught by and to the Japanese police. Much thought was put into the techniques selected, ensuring the greatest officer safety (as well as offender safety), thereby allowing the officer to go about his/her duties in a most efficient manner. Once you begin to include knife fighting, hostage situations, sentry neutralization, and a host of other techniques and situations cited above, you are going beyond the parameters of Taiho-Jutsu. This is not what Taiho-Jutsu was intended to be, nor are these situations part of the traditional Taiho-Jutsu program. Even if we were to use the term synonymously with Combative Measures, many of these situations and techniques extend beyond those parameters as well.

If one were to ask if this wide range of techniques is beneficial for an officer to learn, the answer is a qualified yes. If an officer has the desire, the time, and the physical ability to undertake a rigorous program as described, it can certainly be beneficial. Are these additions necessary for him/her to perform his/her duties competently and efficiently? No. Certainly extreme situations are likely to be encountered during the course of a career in law-enforcement. When these extremes do present themselves, there are S.W.A.T. (or other specialized) units with additional training available to confront them. For the average law-enforcement officer, in almost any field or branch of law-enforcement, the Taiho-Jutsu course as originally taught to S.A.C. and now being taught by the United States Taiho-Jutsu Federation, is still the superior course to be learned, thereby ensuring officer efficiency and safety, all within the parameters of law-enforcement responsibilities.  

 

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