RI – Tactical Ground Control & Edged Weapon Defense Instructor Certification

Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy
Hosting
L.O.C.K.U.P. ® Police Training Systems
May 18 – 22, 2026 0800 – 1630

The L.O.C.K.U.P.® Police Ground Control Edged Weapon Instructor Course Is first-of-its-kind instructor program that delivers a complete, tactical ground-control and edged-weapon defense curriculum built for policing—not sport. Designed for law enforcement and corrections, this course equips instructors to teach real-world, high-stress control tactics that work in full duty gear and within constitutional standards.

It focuses on practical techniques and strategies that are essential for officers involved in dynamic, combative situations. The L.O.C.K.U.P.® system provides the framework for this training, with a specific emphasis on ground control and defense against edged weapons. Gain the critical skills needed to effectively manage dangerous situations and protect yourself and others in the field.

Why it’s different!
• You can’t train in tee shirts and shorts and then perform wearing full gear.
• Mission-built for officers: Techniques account for body armor, duty belt, radios, and confined spaces.
• Beyond grappling: Focus on control, weapon access/retention, and edged-weapon defense under pressure.
• Train-the-trainer: Graduates leave with lesson plans, testing rubrics, and coaching cues to scale agency training.
• Evidence-informed & defensible: Aligned with case law, reportable standards, and UOF articulation. Students will learn to teach
• Ground control entries, pins, transitions, and handcuffing in gear.
• Edged-weapon threat indicators, defenses, and disengagement options.
• Weapon retention while grounded; suspect access denial.
• Decision-making under stress (recognition-primed cues, pre-attack indicators)
• Safe training progressions, scenario design, and injury reduction
• Documentation & articulation: integrating tactics with policy and report writing.

Who should attend
Use-of-Force instructors, DT/combative staff, field training officers, tactical team trainers, and training supervisors

The agency has an excellent self defense training program which contributed greatly to their success in low usage of less lethal weapons during this accreditation period.” C.A.L.E.A.® Assessment of L.O.C.K.U.P.®

Capt.  Bryan Palagi  – 14 year law enforcement exp. BJJ Black Belt, Master L.O.C.K.U.P.® Instructor  
Percy Smith – 20 year law enforcement exp. BJJ Black Belt,  Master L.O.C.K.U.P.® Instructor
ONLY $995.00

REGISTER HERE

Course Flier

LOCATION of TRAINING:
Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy
Camp Fogarty  – 2841 S County Trl, East Greenwich, RI 02818
Contact – Gary Driscoll – Director of Continuing Education 
gary.driscoll@risp.gov / 401-205-1678 (Desk)