Law Enforcement
DEFENSIVE TACTICS SAFETY SYSTEM

OVERVIEW

HISTORY

Since 1975 Leo T. Gaje, Jr., Chairman of Survival Edge Systems/Pekiti-Tirsia Tactical Training Institute has pioneered the development of modern law enforcement Defensive Tactics formulated on the principles of safety and liability reduction.

Beginning with the New York City Police Department and other eastern regional law enforcement agencies, Mr. Gaje developed the revolutionary SAFETY BATON SYSTEM and EDGED WEAPON AWARENESS / STRATEGIC KNIFE DEFENSE programs along with Empty Hands Safety System, Safety Handcuffing and Firearms Disarming and Retention programs to form the DEFENSIVE TACTICS SAFETY SYSTEM. The Defensive Tactics Safety System was the first, and remains today, the only true system that fully integrates law enforcement weaponry and tools (impact, chemical, restraint, etc.), empty hand control tactics, and firearms through the application of the same tactical techniques.

With the introduction of the Safety System Policy and it’s dynamic tactics, techniques, and training drills, use of force training standards were reevaluated and revised for less liability and increased effectiveness. As these programs became adopted by numerous federal, state, and municipal law enforcement agencies across the United States Mr. Gaje was appointed as National Training Director for both the Justice System Training Association and the United States Police Defensive Tactics Training Association. Through his mastery of Edged-Impact weaponry and personal instructional skills Mr. Gaje’s seminars became the major event at training conferences across the nation. During this period Mr. Gaje personally taught and continues to influence the majority of professionally recognized Defensive Tactics instructors today.

In 1987 Mr. Gaje was retained by Calibre Press Inc. as technical advisor for the training video SURVIVING EDGED WEAPONS where he personally demonstrated the lethal applications of edged weapons and their threat to law enforcement officers. Due to the overwhelming professional acceptance of this video and its critical acclaim as
“THE FINEST POLICE TRAINING VIDEO EVER MADE”, edged weapon awareness and knife defense training programs became a priority training issue at all levels of law enforcement in the United States as well as at the most prestigious private training facilities.

The DEFENSIVE TACTICS SAFETY SYSTEM is supported by professional endorsements and credentials unmatched in the professional law enforcement community today. Dr. Kevin Parsons, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of Armament Systems and Procedures Inc. (ASP) endorses the Safety Baton System as “The most dynamic, innovative, and effective system for the use of the baton and the application of intermediate force” and that “The techniques of Leo Gaje have revolutionized the way law enforcement looks at the use of force.”

The professional impact and influence of Mr. Gaje continues to be measured with the Defensive Tactics Safety System currently instructed in whole or part by federal, state, and municipal law enforcement agencies in the United States, Europe, and the Republic of the Philippines.

Today, Mr. Gaje remains in demand worldwide as the leading authority on Edged-Impact Weaponry and the Filipino combat systems.

FORMULIZATION

Simple. Effective. Retainable. These keys to successful defensive tactics training are accomplished by the Defensive Tactics Safety System through the strategic application of the edged weapon principle throughout the entire system. Technique effectiveness and retention by officers under stress are continually proven through actual application in dynamic, fluid training drills and tactical simulations and scenarios.

1. The distinguishing characteristic of the edged-impact weapon systemology and the Defensive Tactics Safety System is that weaponry skills are instructed first and then progresses in the final stage to empty hand skills. The strategic reasoning behind this structure is that:
   The nature of combat and warfare is the utilization of weaponry – not empty hands. Criminal elements understand the superior advantage weaponry has in close quarter engagements and actively train in their employment and use.
2. Attribute development – the use of weaponry and bladed weapons in particular develops and enhances defensive tactics techniques retention and execution at a more intensive level and at a faster rate than empty hands training.
3. The strategy, tactics, and techniques of the Empty Hands Safety System are derived directly from the application of weaponry versus having completely different systems of empty-hand control methods and law enforcement weaponry technique.

This principle of parallel methodology and transferable technology in its truest form can only be found within the DEFENSIVE TACTICS SAFETY SYSTEM.

The Defensive Tactics Safety System educates the officer in edged and impact weaponry skills that directly transfer in application to empty hand skills and back to weaponry including tactical firearms.

WEAPONS

to

EMPTY HANDS

to

WEAPONS

This system structure based on the use of edged weaponry simplifies the execution of Defensive Tactics techniques by officers under stress during suspect confrontation.

The total mental and physical conditioning skills that officers will train to face an edged weapon produces the THE STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE for survival.

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

DEFENSIVE TACTICS SAFETY SYSTEM training methodology incorporates both aerobic and anaerobic exercises and drills that provide a solid foundation for any officers physical fitness and wellness program.

Training begins with the development of proper body mechanics and gross motor skills through footwork and basic techniques. All system programs then accelerate to two person technique application drills and multiple opponent scenarios. Through these drills officers learn and develop skills by applying tactical techniques against moving opponents and engaging with the realistic execution of defensive tactics and techniques. These drills, exclusive to the Safety System methodology, prepare officers to immediately counter any edged, impact, or empty hand assault.

Safety System strategy that teaches officer protection through positioning, footwork, and evasion together with the use of training weapons and protective gear ensures safety and the most effective learning and training environment.

INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT

Regardless of the existing individual officer or agency defensive tactics program the DEFENSIVE TACTICS SAFETY SYSTEM can significantly enhance the officer’s knowledge, skills, technique proficiency and lower the use of force liability factor. Professional Instructor development is highly encouraged for officers and agencies. Through the conduct of periodic system and skills re-qualification instructors can prevent liability issues of negligent retention.

Completion of Safety System programs will enable the officer to:

1. Analyze any defensive tactic technique for safety, effectiveness, and liability.
2. Develop dynamic training drills and exercises for any defensive tactic technique.
3. Conduct safe and realistic tactical scenarios and conflict simulations.
   

CERTIFICATION

Each Safety System program completion includes individual officer certification of proficiency. Each officer receives a Safety System manual with policy, procedures and complete training skills outline.

Officers with advanced proficiency can become Certified Instructors by assisting in the conduct and teaching of a basic course. Complete system knowledge and proficiency is evaluated with additional training in instructional methodology that includes system training protocols, student coaching, simulation conduct and safety management.

SUPPORT SERVICES

Survival Edge Systems staff instructors, career professional law enforcement training officers, and advisory council members remain dedicated for special technical and legal support services in the form of training documentation and expert witness testimony for litigation support.

With the dramatically increasing legal liability environment for law enforcement officers and departments, the more violent nature of crimes committed, the resurgence of the knife culture, and the use of edged weapons by the criminal element, the DEFENSIVE TACTICS SAFETY SYSTEM provides the tactics, techniques, and skills for officer survival on the street and in the courtroom.