Attacks on Police Officers Rising, Over 60,000 Each Year

According to Fox News over 60,000 officers are attacked every year.  This results in roughly 16,000 injuries.

UFC Champ and Martial Arts Master Offer New Training Solutions  

• 23% increase in Police Shootings in 2009.
• Ambush shootings unprecedented
• The most of any year since 1981
• Multiple officers murdered.  Offenders shooting then moving in for the kill.

Defensive Tactics Instructor John Nottingham says, "It's time that Officers and their leadership begin to look at different training approaches.  If this isn't proof that things need to change, I don't know what they would need.  That's why my company is sponsoring different thinking and training from people like Dan "The Beast" Severn.  He's been doing no-holds-barred fighting for longer than most officers serve in a career."  
Warning: Video contains graphic images.

http://video.foxnews.com/v/3995214/police-officers-under-attack

"Quite frankly, officers are being killed because of inadequate training.  It boils down to ignorance, arrogance and slow reaction time from leadership.  Typical government, they lag behind the times, often getting swayed into an over-reliance on technology and gear, rather than increasing training standards, time and testing.  They have lessons to learn from our successful soldiers in Iraq, Bodyguards and guys like Dan Severn who has put himself on the line in cages like the UFC.  The answers exist.  The question is this, is law enforcement ready and willing to embrace new ideas?  Some of the tactics they are doing is simply out-moded and it's catching up to them.  How many officers will needlessly die from avoidable encounters?  Nottingham Sword & Shield Security is proud to be part of the solution and sponsoring a free Defensive Tactics program to Illinois and Wisconsin Police Officers and Security.  

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UFC Champ Dedicates Police Training to Slain Police Officer Lt. Eric Shuhandler

UFC Hall of Famer Dan “The Beast” Severn and John Nottingham of Sword and Shield Security have dedicated an Officer Survival and MMA Defensive Tactics training seminar to recently slain Police Officer Lt. Eric Shuhandler.  Gilbert Arizona Officer Shuhandler stopped a truck for an obscured license plate and was moments later fatally shot once in the head.  Lt. Shuhandler was a family man, father of two, and a highly respected Police Officer.  A donation will be made to a memorial fund for his family from the training event.


Event Info:

UFC Champion and wrestling legend Dan Severn, alumni of Arizona State University, will conduct Modern MMA "The Dangerzone: Defensive Tactics" (DT) training for law enforcement including Police, Military, Security and those in protective services for two days in Antioch Illinois. All law enforcement invited.

DT is FREE to sworn officers. Sponsored by Nottingham Sword & Shield Security and USA Martial Arts. MMA is not sponsored and tuition applies.
http://swordandshieldsecurity.blogspot.com/
Sponsor: Nottingham Sword&Shield Security [Free to LEO/LEA]
Location: USA Martial Arts Antioch across from Super Wal-Mart Route 173
Contact: Master Brian Van Patten/Inst. Dan Skrzypek USA Martial Arts 
Officer Eric Gugel Lindenhurst Police Department
Tuesday March 9th: 7:00-9:00pm DT
Wednesday March 10th: 4:30-6:30 DT
Autograph and Photo session included for those pre-registered. Attend one or both training days. Separate MMA seminars open to civilians and officers available for a fee.
USA Martial Arts Academy of Antioch Illinois
22221 W IL Rte 173, Antioch IL 60002
Tel.: 1-847-838-0605
E-mail: antiochil@usamartialartsacademy.com
For direct donations to Lieutenant Eric Shuhandler's memorial fund:
Wells Fargo Bank Memorial Fund Account: 1359531975

http://scottsdaleexecutivesecurity.com/
http://usa-martialarts.com/
http://www.usamartialartsschools.com/

Natures Lessons on Self Defense Security and Survival

Self Defense Lessons On Display All Around Us

Self-Defense Security “The Combat” Mindset Part 5

Turn on Animal Planet or Discovery, National Geographic channels for some of the best survival models available.  Nature provides us with various proven successful and failed strategies and techniques for hunting, protecting young, survival, evasion and escape. 

Nature offers poignant lessons for self defense and security that directly translate into self defense and security solutions for men, women, children and even companies.  How we behave, establish patterns, negotiate distances, present ourselves, travel, communicate, position ourselves, and evaluate situations directly impact our vulnerability and options. 

Predators select easy targets or what we in the security profession refer to as “soft targets”.  That is the sick, weak, slow, unaware, easily coaxed or isolated.  Human predators also seek targets of opportunity who present themselves in a vulnerable context, oblivious, perceived as weak, distracted, alone or susceptibly defenseless.  Individuals who deny reality and personal responsibility, dismissing key survival signals and instincts are among the most vulnerable. 

The simple, but sometimes not easy, act of acknowledging that we are each part of nature as humans and have an innate responsibility to use our God-given abilities and instincts goes a long way in personal security and self-defense.    

For this reason, it’s necessary to arm yourself with a mindset that can help you remain alert to potential threats at key times and be able to intelligently respond should you encounter with one.  That mindset begins with taking personal responsibility.  It is not security or law enforcements job to protect you as your personal bodyguard – it is ultimately your responsibility as a human. 

In the next article I’ll reveal one of the most potent self defense security lessons I learned from training with one of the worlds leading self defense and violence experts (appointed by several Presidents and protects high profile celebrities you would recognize) that can alter the way you think, believe and live.

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Nottingham Sword & Shield Security provides on or off site training.  Unique Security Services and Self Defense Training nationwide including Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Phoenix Arizona areas.  This information provided in cooperation with: John Nottingham's USA Martial Arts Scottsdale PV Phoenix, Nottingham Sword&Shield; Security and Hit Like a Girl Self Defense Personal Security Training

http://ScottsdaleExecutiveSecuritycom http://ScottsdaleBodyguard.com http://USA-MartialArts.com http://ScottsdaleKarate.com http://JohnNottingham.com  
JKD Concepts PFS Progressive Fighting Systems "Filthy MMA" http://fighting.net/johnn

Author 

John Nottingham, EPS is a graduate of Bodyguard Training International / USA Bodyguards.  He was trained at Gavin De Becker Academy for Protectors and in Advanced Threat Assessment and Management.  A Sixth Degree multiple Black Belt holder he served in a Special Forces Airborne reserve unit as a Military Intelligence Analyst.  He is the founder of Nottingham Training Systems, Nottingham Security and the USA Martial Arts chain of schools. 

The Firm

NTS Nottingham Training Systems is a public and private sector consulting and training firm specializing in developing mission specific solutions for first responders, law enforcement, military, security and civilians.

Nottingham Sword&Shield Security is the Protective Division of LCI Inc. which provides security strategies and solutions to public and private clientele.   Nottingham Security serves and advises media figures, corporations, government agencies, police departments, universities, and at risk persons of situations that might escalate to violence.  Nottingham Security's capabilities include: individual, executive, family, children, event and mobile high and low profile protective services.

The Color Codes of Awareness for Developing a Combat Fighting Mindset

Security [Self Defense] Mindset part 4

One technique for a self-defense / security mindset used by soldiers, special agents, bodyguards, and law-enforcement personnel whom have to perform effectively under duress.  The "Combat" mindset technique heightens your awareness and allows you to see potential threats to your safety ahead of time.  Thus, it provides a window of opportunity to prepare for or prevent potential conflict.

John Dean “Jeff” Cooper, a Marine Lieutenant Colonel who served in both WWII, and the Korean War, is widely respected for his modernizing firearm for personal protection training.  He popularized a method of developing awareness called Color Codes of Awareness, or what we refer to as levels or states of alertness.

• White - unaware, not paying attention
• Yellow - attentive, but relaxed and not in denial
• Orange - focus is directed, there is an immediate specific potential threat
• Red - there is a definitive threat, fully engaged. Your mental trigger (established back in Condition Orange) has been initiated. If "X" happens I will act. 

Other variations exist including colors green, blue and black, but the concept is relatively the same.  They key to using them is integrating this into daily life and, for professionals, operational readiness.

Many are now familiar with the US Department of Homeland Security Advisory system.   According to the USDHS at http://www.dhs.gov, “Color-coded Threat Level System is used to communicate with public safety officials and the public at-large through a threat-based, color-coded system so that protective measures can be implemented to reduce the likelihood or impact of an attack.”  To clarify the difference, the government model responds to an estimated amount of danger to which Americans are exposed to at a specific time.  The Cooper model is designed to describe ones individual state of mind to take action on potential threats.

One of the exercises we have our training clients execute is to integrate a levels of awareness system with a flowchart for action, or what many from military and law enforcement backgrounds call rules of engagement.  This becomes part of a personal safety plan or professional SOP to increase effectiveness in the field, reduce response time and trigger action plans. 

Again, the key to efficacy, and where our firm stands out, is the implementation of these concepts under stress so that they can be efficient and effective when it most counts. 

In the next article I will discuss nature’s model for survival and how it relates to your personal security and self defense mindset.  
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Nottingham Sword & Shield Security provides on or off site training.  Unique Security Services and Self Defense Training nationwide including Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Phoenix Arizona areas.  This information provided in cooperation with: John Nottingham's USA Martial Arts Scottsdale PV Phoenix, Nottingham Sword&Shield; Security and Hit Like a Girl Self Defense Personal Security Training

http://ScottsdaleExecutiveSecuritycom http://ScottsdaleBodyguard.com http://USA-MartialArts.com http://ScottsdaleKarate.com http://JohnNottingham.com  

Author 

John Nottingham, EPS is a graduate of Bodyguard Training International / USA Bodyguards.  He was trained at Gavin De Becker Academy for Protectors and in Advanced Threat Assessment and Management.  A Sixth Degree multiple Black Belt holder he served in a Special Forces Airborne reserve unit as a Military Intelligence Analyst.  He is the founder of Nottingham Training Systems, Nottingham Security and the USA Martial Arts chain of schools. 

The Firm

NTS Nottingham Training Systems is a public and private sector consulting and training firm specializing in developing mission specific solutions for first responders, law enforcement, military, security and civilians.

Nottingham Sword&Shield Security is the Protective Division of LCI Inc. which provides security strategies and solutions to public and private clientele.   Nottingham Security serves and advises media figures, corporations, government agencies, police departments, universities, and at risk persons of situations that might escalate to violence.  Nottingham Security's capabilities include: individual, executive, family, children, event and mobile high and low profile protective services.

Oprah said, "Be Aware"... But That's a Dangerous Lie and We Proved it

The Security & Self Defense Mindset Part III

We’ve all heard it.  It’s on the news and on every caution givers lips from parents to partners and your local law enforcement officer, “Be Aware”.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen an industry with so many self proclaimed experts who were downright shoddy and incompetent than the self defense and security fields.  That’s just one reason my company set out to do something about it. 

Oprah said “Be aware”

“Be aware” is a self defense myth that has been around for years.  Propagated by often well-intentioned media sources, so-called self defense experts and ill informed do-gooders, our research revealed the lie in this self defense myth.  My team of Self Defense Mythbusters have dedicated years to challenging widely held beliefs, confirming all but a few, shattering the dangerous distortions of most.  This is one of the most fundamental.  Fortunately, thank God, Oprah eventually brought on my teacher Gavin de Becker, author of The Gift of Fear, to reveal the truth about intuition and self defense.  In doing so, she gave wide exposure to some of the best advice I have ever seen presented on the subject. 
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/The-Gift-of-Fear-by-Gavin-de-Becker

The good news is that the truth will set you free.

Our documented footage reveals that ‘be aware’ is something all of our clients would tell you they were trying to do but, the fatal flaw is that they couldn't use this idea when the time came to use it.  They enter the scenario, their heart rate soars, they become hyper vigilant, eyes widen, body tenses, and they miss critical cues and basic solutions.  

This is the gap we see again and again in most training; 

the illusion that education is the same as knowledge 

and knowledge is the same as ability.  

The idea of “being aware” seems also irreconcilable with use on the street without training or knowledge of what specifically to identify. It just seems to ad stress from an omnipresent, “could come from anywhere, anytime” unnamed threat. Who could live with constant stress like that anyway? It’s not practical nor is it healthy to be paranoid and stressed out. In our view, “being aware” is merely a thing people tell themselves as an emotional pacifier, perhaps inadvertently distracting their God-given survival signals that actually could alert them to real danger.

  That is why my company mission emphasizes enhancing peace-of-mind to our clients so they can separate true fear from unwarranted fear and live life with joy and freedom from mental terror.

Even our clients know they are entering a scenario where they will have to be aware, it is nothing more than a word until they are conditioned to know and use several things:

1. What specifically to look for, how criminals or the other guy operates

2. How to manage the body’s natural response to potential threats, fear and stress and the ability to know the difference between warranted fear and unwarranted fear.

3. How to process and prioritize large amounts of information in a short period of time.

4. Knowing when and where to heighten alertness

5. Having accurate information and the awareness of assets and liabilities (one’s true capabilities) in a given situation

6. Understanding context

In essence, all of our clients were all intelligent enough to know they should be aware but this information is of little to no consequence in crunch time.  My company specializes in bridging that gap and assisting individuals in bringing to bear the skills they already possess or ad into their personal toolbox of options.

In the next article I will address a technique for a self defense / security mindset used by soldiers, special agents, bodyguards, and law-enforcement personnel whom have to perform effectively under duress.  The mindset technique heightens your awareness and allows you to see potential threats to your safety ahead of time.  Thus, providing a window of opportunity to prepare for or prevent potential conflict.


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Nottingham Sword & Shield Security provides on or off site training.  Unique Security Services and Self Defense Training nationwide including Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Phoenix Arizona areas.  This information provided in cooperation with: John Nottingham's USA Martial Arts Scottsdale PV Phoenix, Nottingham Sword&Shield; Security and Hit Like a Girl Self Defense Personal Security Training

http://ScottsdaleExecutiveSecuritycom http://ScottsdaleBodyguard.com http://USA-MartialArts.com http://ScottsdaleKarate.com http://JohnNottingham.com  

Author 

John Nottingham, EPS is a graduate of Bodyguard Training International / USA Bodyguards.  He was trained at Gavin De Becker Academy for Protectors and in Advanced Threat Assessment and Management.  A Sixth Degree multiple Black Belt holder he served in a Special Forces Airborne reserve unit as a Military Intelligence Analyst.  He is the founder of Nottingham Training Systems, Nottingham Security and the USA Martial Arts chain of schools. 

The Firm

NTS Nottingham Training Systems is a public and private sector consulting and training firm specializing in developing mission specific solutions for first responders, law enforcement, military, security and civilians.

Nottingham Sword&Shield Security is the Protective Division of LCI Inc. which provides security strategies and solutions to public and private clientele.   Nottingham Security serves and advises media figures, corporations, government agencies, police departments, universities, and at risk persons of situations that might escalate to violence.  Nottingham Security's capabilities include: individual, executive, family, children, event and mobile high and low profile protective services.

Which is More Important, Technique or Mindset?

Security [Self Defense] is a Mindset Part II

When people ask which is more important, mindset or technique I have to say neither.  Why? Because to agree with that flawed premise is simply playing games with semantics.  In my view, personal security and effective self defense is both mental and physical.  Mental floss arguments and stimulating discussions may satisfy some deep seated need for cerebral exercise, but when punches or bullets fly, the real priorities emerge and the mind and body are not mutually exclusive.  In fact, I would argue that how well the two are integrated will influence much of the outcome.

Feet to the fire in this hypothetical exercise of the imagination I would side with mindset.  I choose mindset because prisons around the world are filled with criminals who effectively used violence without training, knowledge or special ability.  Intent (mindset), opportunity and simple human ability were all that was needed.  

"...prisons around the world are filled with criminals 

who effectively used violence without training."

For my security teams I look for individuals with the right attitude and mindset.  With that, we can equip them with the tools and techniques needed to excel at the job.  Ultimately, the mind controls the body.

Take for example Rhonda.  She is a forty something Mom with a sweet and nurturing disposition.  In two bodyguard schools I saw the other participants, mostly men with security, law enforcement and military backgrounds, presume to be able to assess her ability.  They patronized her constantly even going as far as to repeatedly ask her if she wanted to opt of some of the more intense simunitions and scenario training. 

Proud Martial Arts instructor, I sat back quietly with a smirk on my face knowing what was to come from this unassuming Black Belt.  She outperformed most all of them (even the guys bragging about protecting the President) and graduated at the top of her class.  Her client lived – theirs didn't.  It's hard to argue with results. 

Fluke?  Not at all.   It was mindset coupled with conditioning.  She has great judgment under stress and had the courage and wisdom to get experience in stress training.  Never judge a book by its cover.    Black Belt Bodyguard Rhonda went on to help me create the Hit Like a Girl home and office parties self defense personal security training.  

For these reasons as well as those in the previous blog article, I advocate great teachers, scenario based and stress inoculation training, problem solving and decision point exercises.   Merge that with creating a team culture that supports the mission and you have a winning formula.   A winning mindset is making a choice to accept responsibility for how the world works.

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NTS provides on or off site training.  Unique Security Services and Self Defense Training nationwide including Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Phoenix Arizona areas.

In cooperation with: John Nottingham's USA Martial Arts Scottsdale PV Phoenix, Nottingham Sword&Shield; Security and Hit Like a Girl Self Defense Personal Security Training

http://ScottsdaleExecutiveSecuritycom     
 http://ScottsdaleBodyguard.com    
 http://USA-MartialArts.com   
 http://ScottsdaleKarate.com  
 http://JohnNottingham.com  
JKD Concepts PFS Progressive Fighting Systems "Filthy MMA" http://fighting.net/johnn

Author 

John Nottingham, EPS is a graduate of Bodyguard Training International / USA Bodyguards.  He was trained at Gavin De Becker Academy for Protectors and in Advanced Threat Assessment and Management.  A Sixth Degree multiple Black Belt holder he served in a Special Forces Airborne reserve unit as a Military Intelligence Analyst.  He is the founder of Nottingham Training Systems, Nottingham Security and the USA Martial Arts chain of schools. 

The Firm

NTS Nottingham Training Systems is a public and private sector consulting and training firm specializing in developing mission specific solutions for first responders, law enforcement, military, security and civilians.

Nottingham Sword&Shield Security is the Protective Division of LCI Inc. which provides security strategies and solutions to public and private clientele.   Nottingham Security serves and advises media figures, corporations, government agencies, police departments, universities, and at risk persons of situations that might escalate to violence.  Nottingham Security's capabilities include: individual, executive, family, children, event and mobile high and low profile protective services