At the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC), a new kind of training is taking root—one that emphasizes control over confrontation, respect over reaction, and thoughtful technique over brute strength.
This summer, WSCJTC launched a pilot program exploring law enforcement judo, a defensive tactics curriculum adapted from the long-standing and successful model used by Vancouver, Canada’s police force. The three-day course is designed for advanced instructors and builds on foundational training from WSCJTC’s 6240 and 6241 use-of-force courses. It teaches safe, effective, and legally defensible techniques rooted in judo—a martial art known as “the gentle way.”
“We’re not teaching Olympic throws or flashy techniques,” said Kenny Lott, WSCJTC Use of Force and Control and Defensive Tactics (CDT) Instructor. “We’re teaching field-tested footwork and grips that work in real policing. Everything we teach aligns with the Attorney General’s use-of-force policy and constitutional law.”
The program emerged from a collaborative effort by Lott, Clinton Radovich, Andy Hung, and Rich Peterson, who serve as both trainers and judo practitioners. They brought decades of combined law enforcement and martial arts experience to the design table—literally mapping out techniques on whiteboards to distill the curriculum into practical, real-world applications.
“This isn’t just about ‘how’ to use a technique—it’s about when and why to use it,” said Peterson, WSCJTC’s CDT Program Manager. “We’re creating critical thinkers who understand their legal responsibilities as deeply as their physical ones.”
That emphasis on intentional, ethical decision-making is at the heart of the program. Techniques are introduced with a clear lens on proportionality, duty of care, and public trust. Once an individual is detained, officers are trained to consider not just how to control a subject—but how to protect their safety until medical professionals arrive.
“There’s a moral responsibility that comes with placing someone in custody,” Peterson added. “That care begins the moment an officer makes contact.”
Judo’s principles align well with that philosophy. “Judo teaches humility, restraint, and helping others,” said Hong, a program specialist. “Even in technical training, we emphasize respect—helping a struggling partner, teaching your peers, leading by example.”
For Clinton Radovich, a civilian martial artist who helped shape the curriculum, the experience has been deeply personal. “From the outside, it’s easy to misunderstand law enforcement,” he said. “But being welcomed into this process, seeing the transparency, the research, the dedication—it changed my perspective. These professionals want to do things the right way.”
That transparency is intentional. The program’s materials, including a complete curriculum, are shared openly via QR code. “We want agencies to take what works for them and adapt it,” Lott said. “We’re not building silos. We’re building a standardized, ethical, and transparent approach to use of force.”
The pilot cohort of instructors underwent three intense days of training and testing, with feedback being gathered for future refinement. WSCJTC plans to expand and evolve the curriculum using continuous evaluation, staying responsive to new legislation and best practices.
“This is just the beginning,” said Hung. “It’s about culture change—bringing the values of judo into policing, and empowering officers with tools that de-escalate, not escalate.”
In a climate where law enforcement agencies are under increasing scrutiny, WSCJTC is leaning into the challenge—not with rhetoric, but with training that reflects integrity, dignity, and accountability.
As Lott put it: “We’re not just teaching officers how to move. We’re teaching them how to think.”