Santa Ana PD top choice for jiu-jitsu competitor

By Lou Ponsi

When Zachary Jezulin began pursuing a career in law enforcement, there was never a doubt which agency was his top choice: Santa Ana.

More than anything, Jezulin, who grew up in a law enforcement family, wanted to work for a busy agency. He wanted to be active, combat crime on the streets, and make a difference in the community on a grassroots level.

After going on a ride-along with Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD), his mind was made up. SAPD was the perfect fit.

Then, while training at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) Regional Training Academy, Jezulin cultivated a new passion – jiu-jitsu — after he experienced a mettle-testing activity called the “crucible.”

“It's mentally taxing, extremely physically taxing, and then it's involving grappling,” said Jezulin, now a corporal with SAPD. “If you've never grappled before, it's different. You're using different muscles. It's just physically exhausting. I never trained before like that, so it was kind of like a wake-up call that, hey, I need to train.”

After graduating from the Academy, Jezulin joined a gym and began training in jiu-jitsu. At first, his desire to practice jiu-jitsu was motivated by his commitment to become a better police officer.

“Then I fell in love with the sport,” he said.

Jezulin earned a black belt and participates in multiple competitions annually, including the prestigious Master Worlds in Las Vegas. Before long, his love for competing morphed into a passion for teaching. In 2024, Jezulin was asked if to train defensive tactics at the OCSD Regional Training Academy.

“I said, ‘absolutely,’” Jezulin said. “That’s a dream.”

In November 2024, Jezulin became the first officer from an outside agency to join the OCSD Regional Training Academy’s defensive tactics program. He trains recruits, conducts recertifications, and teaches personnel, including deputies, custody assistants, and community service officers. His role involves both lecturing on policy and law updates and hands-on defensive tactics training. He enjoys teaching and finds it rewarding to see his students gain confidence and skills.

“It amplifies our push toward getting better training, (and having) better prepared officers, because now (Jezulin) has that look inside to be able to see what we need them to do,” said Yesenia Aspeitia, SAPD communications specialist.

SAPD’s commitment is further demonstrated by having its own UFC-style training room within the department’s de-escalation center, equipped with mats, heavy bags, speed bags, double-end bags, an Olympic-sized boxing ring, and even a cage.

"It just it shows that we're top of the line,” Aspeitia said. “We're honestly trying to be first in line to get on with this new push toward jiu-jitsu and martial arts.”

Being top of the line is working — SAPD has seen an increase in the number of applications they receive for job openings. And new recruits are finding these skills are vital on the job. The Academy’s defensive tactics training with Jezulin gives recruits the practice and self-confidence they need for when they become sworn officers.