Marietta Police Department in Georgia has been one of the first in the country to actively employ a full BJJ program and the results speak for themselves, as there have been several measurable improvements to officer outcomes while also saving the department money. The local department started the venture around two years ago after a video showing excessive use of force went viral and brought heavy criticism on to the entire PD. While the events that led to this undertaking are no cause for celebration, the results of the experiment have been very promising and they lead further credence to the plan for national police reform that Rener Gracie put out not so long ago.
With Gracie Survival Tactics already being approved for use in California, it’s only a matter of time before we’re able to see more and more data on the positive effects that practicing BJJ can have on law enforcement. A video was uploaded to the official Gracie Breakdown YouTube channel, detailing all of the benefits that the BJJ program has provided to the Marietta police department:
Marietta Police Department BJJ Program Data
To date, 95 of the 145 sworn MPD officers have opted in to the BJJ program and 50 officers have not. The officers who averaged at least 1 BJJ class per week are referred to below as “BJJ Officers”. Here is a summary of the data collected so far:
Training Injuries
- MPD has had 95 officers attend over 2,600 civilian-operated BJJ classes with one reported training injury.
Taser Deployments
- Since the inception of the program, non-BJJ officers used their Taser in 77% of Use of Force (UOF) incidents.
- BJJ officers used their Taser in 54% of UOF incidents (85% of which were used to stop a foot pursuit – not to end the physical altercation)
- 23% reduction in Taser deployments in the BJJ officer group.
Use of Force (UOF) Injuries to Officers
- In the 18 months prior to instituting mandatory BJJ training, 29 officers were injured while carrying out arrests.
- In the 18 months after instituting mandatory BJJ training for new hires, 15 officers were injured while carrying out arrests.
- 48% reduction in officer injuries department wide.
- None of the injured officers were BJJ officers.
Use of Force (UOF) Injuries to Suspects
- In 2020, there were 33 UOF incidents involving Marietta PD officers: 20 incidents involving non-BJJ officers, and 13 incidents involving BJJ officers.
- In the 20 incidents involving non-BJJ officers, the suspect sustained injuries requiring hospitalization 65% of the time (13 incidents of suspect hospitalization).
- In the 13 incidents involving BJJ officers, the suspect sustained injuries requiring hospitalization 31% of the time (4 incidents of suspect hospitalization).
- Serious injuries to a suspect are 53% less likely when interacting with BJJ officers.
- BJJ officers are 59% less likely to engage in UOF than non-BJJ officers.
Financial Implications
- Based on an average workers’ comp claim of $4,768, the total estimated savings from the reduction in officers’ injuries is estimated at $66,752.
- Training Investment: $26,000 (2600 department-sponsored classes charged at $10 per class).
- Net Savings for MPD: $40,752
