WATCH: Tiverton Police Train In Brazilian Jiu-Jutsu

TIVERTON, RI — Six Tiverton police officers got some unique new training to help them on patrol.

Police Chief Patrick Jones said the department partnered with Danny Savery BJJ & Martial Arts Academy in Bristol to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Jones said the training is the first of its kind in Rhode Island.

The program began with Lt. Bryan Palagi, who has been training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for about 12 years, and started prior to becoming a police officer. He trained with Danny Savery, a former Tiverton police officer who now owns the Danny Savery BJJ & Martial Arts Academy in Somerset, Massachusetts, and Bristol and partners with the department on its training program.

A significant portion of the hand-to-hand and restraint techniques recruits learn as part of their use of force training at the police academy are based in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. At the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy, where Palagi also teaches, use of force training runs for 10 weeks. About 80 hours throughout the 10 weeks focuses on hand-to-hand physical confrontations.

But after graduating the academy, officers receive little hand-to-hand training Jones said. Without regular review and practice, retaining those skills from year to year is difficult.

"Yearly use of force training covers policy changes and data and statistics from the previous year, so you’re looking at probably two to three hours for a refresher in hand-to-hand physical training each year," Palagi said. "The physical techniques and skills you learn in the Academy are perishable, so it can be difficult to remain proficient in those skills without training regularly."

See video of the training below: