Officers stand proudly at Dedeco Jiu Jitsu School in Weymouth, Mass.Photo: (Jim MacKay/WBZ)
WEYMOUTH, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) – Weymouth Police recently launched a new program that utilizes Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to prepare their officers for the toughest situations in the line of duty.
Dedeco Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was founded by Andre "Dedeco" Almeida. He is a native of Rio de Janeiro native and a world class instructor.
He explained how the martial arts form helps prevent injuries to both police officers and civilians who resist or fight.
"You're using leverage and your opponent's weight against himself and not allowing him to get hurt,” Almeida said.
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Officers said Jiu Jitsu helps with their training, body and minds.
John Arrugio, an Attleboro police officer and a black belt, has been training at Jiu Jitsu years before the Weymouth program was launched. He said it has been an absolute game-changer.
“Just the fitness portion of it,” Arrugio said, “it’s also the mindset.”
The officers there learn the art form, self-defense, grappling, takedowns using leverage as their strength. The program is free to any police officer every Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
WBZ NewsRadio's Jim MacKay (@JimMacKayOnAir) has the story:
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