Martial Arts/Expert Profile

Expertise

I would welcome the opportunity to answer questions regarding mixed martial arts styles and some traditional aspects of karate, tae kwon-do, and self-defense. I was a police department defensive & control tactics training instructor for eight years prior to retirement and have been instructing private citizens and corporations since 2002. I hold over forty police instructor training certifications. I hold Shodan rank (1st Dan) in martial arts (1st Degree Black Belt).

Experience in the area

Decorated retired 15 year veteran municipal police sergeant. 8 year Police Defensive Tactics Instructor and senior training officer. Served in the capacities of patrol officer, training officer, SWAT officer, first line patrol supervisor and administrative supervisor. Holding over 50 certifications related to police training and instructing in disciplines such as "defensive tactics," "firearms," and "professional development." 8 year veteran of the United States Army. Rank of Staff-Sergeant (E-6). Held positions of Platoon Sergeant, Asst. Platoon Sergeant, Squad Leader, Fire Team Leader, and Liaison NCO at staff officer level. Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 11B3PF7, Airborne Infantry NCO Soldier & Pathfinder. Current Federal Chemical Branch Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve serving as a Platoon Leader for a Biological Integrated Detection System Chemical Company. Private instruction in martial arts and self-defense from Blackwatch Oak Incorporated. Senior training officer for "X" Police Department. Taught police officers various police and law enforcement disciplines including defensive tactics. Specializing in use of force issues, limiting liability and lawsuit avoidance with respect to police/law enforcement officer arrest procedures. Training and lecturing on control tactics, safety issues and use of force issues under licensure with the Virginia State corporation: X.X.X., LLC. Training and lecturing on defensive tactics issues, use of force paradigm usage and compliance, and defensive knife training under licensure with the IL Corp: P.P.C.T., Inc. Training and lecturing on the use of “less than lethal” police use of force techniques & issues under licensure with the Florida Corporation: Armor Holdings’, The Training Academy. "X" Police Academy: Lectured police academy students on issues of police use of force and Constitutional law. M.P.O.E.T.C. approved & certified environment and courses. “Close Quarter Battle Certified Instructor:" Instructing police officers in CQB under licensure from The International Police Tactical Training Academy.

Organizations

ASIS International. Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA). Academy of Security Educators and Trainers (ASET). American Society of Criminology (ASC). National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA). International Tae Kwon Do Union (ITU), among others.

Publications

Published Full length novel, “Ports And Happy Havens,” Co-authored with L.A. Broskey, Copyright. ISBN: 1-4208-1261-0. Full length novel, “The Awful Grace Of God,” Co-authored with L.A. Broskey, Copyright (publishing in progress). Review & Discussion of the case of: Burley v. Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. Published in the PA Administrative Law Journal. Spring 2003. Review & Discussion of the case of: LTV Steel Company, Inc. v. Workers' Compensation Appeal Board. Published in the PA Administrative Law Journal. Spring 2003. Review & Discussion of the case of: Rydzewski v. Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board. Published in the PA Administrative Law Journal. Summer 2002. “Handcuffing Techniques Manual For Loss Prevention Officers.” 2002. Copyright. “Model Emergency Response Team Policy and Member’s Manual.” 1999. Copyright. “Women’s Fundamental Self-Defense Manual.” 1998. Copyright, among others.

Education/Credentials

1st Dan MMA Karate/Tae Kwon-Do. Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.), Widener University School of Law. Harrisburg, PA. Graduate of the Law and Government Institute of Widener University School of Law. Certification in Law & Government. Harrisburg, PA. B.A. Criminal Justice, DeSales University. Center Valley, PA. Certified Legal Assistant & Paralegal, Blackstone Career Institute, Emmaus, PA. Licensed Private Detective, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Certified Special & General Law Enforcement Academy Educator/Trainer Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers’ Training And Education Commission (MPOTEC). Certified Law Enforcement Trainer (CLET) Certification, American Society for Law Enforcement Training (ASLET), Frederick, MD. Municipal Police Officer Certificate of Training & Licensure (Act 120), Police Academy Training.

Awards and Honors

United States Army Meritorious Service Medal. United States Army Commendation Medal, awarded twice. United States Army Achievement Medal, awarded four times. United States Army Good Conduct Medal. United States Army Expert Infantry Badge. United States Army Parachutist Badge. Government of Honduras Parachutist Badge. United States Army Air-Assault Badge. United States Army Pathfinder Badge. American Police Hall of Fame’s “Legion of Honor Award for Line of Duty Injury.” Venerable Order of The Knights of Michael The Archangel, “Knight Chevalier Award.” American Police Hall of Fame’s “Honor Award.” The John Edgar Hoover Memorial Gold Medal for Distinguished Public Service Award. American Police Hall of Fame “Long and Honorable Service Certificate.” American Federation of Police and Concerned Citizens’ “George Washington Second Amendment Gun Rights Award.” American Police Hall of Fame “President’s National Medal of Patriotism.” Widener University School of Law “Dean’s Honor List.” International Tae Kwon Do Union’s (ITU) World Wide Martial Arts Hall of Fame Award for “Assistant Instructor of the Year,” 2002. “Who’s Who Among American Law Students,” 22nd Edition, 2002 Recognition Award. World Karate Union Hall of Fame, “Instructor Of The Year For Police Control Tactics & Self-Defense,” 2004, among others.

What do you like about this subject?

The aspect that martial arts is applicable to everyone. People, old and young, who want to learn for reasons of mental and physical health, greater agility, self-defense, etc. can find their niche and have their interests addressed.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I will be continually learning and educating myself. Because I no longer practice out of a traditional studio or dojo I will not rise above the rank of 1st Dan (which is actually still a beginner's rank).

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

When seeking martial arts instruction beware of falling into the traps of over commercialization and "cults of personality." More on this later.