On Tuesday night, June 8, 2021 just before 6 p.m., Tukwila Police officers responded to a 9-1-1 report of a male who had been trying to kick in the door of a relative’s residence before fleeing on foot.
Police say that block from the Justice Center, officers came across two adult males fighting in the street in the 15200 block of Tukwila International Blvd. (map below). One of the involved parties matched the description of the suspect and was in close proximity to the location of the initial 9-1-1 call. As officers began detaining both individuals, the suspect pulled away from one of the officers, reached into the pocket of his hoodie and produced a folding knife that was already locked in the open position (see photo above).
Recognizing the threat, the officer – who is a defensive tactics instructor and former professional martial artist – immediately utilized a jiu-jitsu maneuver to control the suspect and get him safely to the ground where he was immediately disarmed and detained. The technique resulted in no injuries to the suspect or the officer in what otherwise could have very likely turned into a lethal force situation based on the circumstances.
The technique used is part of annual training that officers undergo as part of Gracie Survival Tactics (GST). GST principles rely on teaching officers leverage and distance management techniques to safely control and detain suspects. The end result when applied correctly by a trained officer is quickly controlling a non-compliant and or combative suspect with minimal if any injury to the suspect or officers.
GST training is in addition to de-escalation techniques that our officers regularly train and utilize during the course of their duties whenever practical and possible. Every effort is made to safely detain those we encounter without injury to the suspect or our officers.
