Adopt A Cop BJJ

To address critical gaps in the department-funded training of front line police officers by partnering with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms across the country to provide free or reduced rate memberships to police officers.  Officers are sponsored until they achieve the rank of blue belt, which typically takes 12-18 months.

Police officers often find themselves in volatile situations which can quickly turn deadly. In these combative situations, being the more skilled grappler allows the officer a greater amount of control over the situation, which decreases the likelihood of injury or death for both officer and suspect.

Being a police officer is one of the most selfless, dangerous, and important jobs in our world today.  Investing in our officers is an investment in our communities.  Adopt A Cop BJJ aims to create a more resilient and more effective police force, improve police relations around our country, and ultimately reduce the incidence of police-involved shootings and deaths.

Adopt A Cop BJJ was founded in 2020, after a slew of highly publicized police-involved shootings.  Founder Mitch Aguiar is a professional mixed martial artist and former head combatives instructor for the Navy SEALs. As many began calling to ‘Defund the Police’, Mitch knew that would only serve to exacerbate the problem.  He believes that what our police officers really need is more and better training, and Adopt A Cop BJJ was created to help fulfill this unmet need.  

Police officers receive minimal instruction or practice in managing physically volatile situations.  Often the only training they receive is at the Academy, and a once-per-year defense class.  An officer who has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively control a combative situation will feel more confident in their abilities on the job, and are subsequently less likely to resort to lethal force in fear for their own safety during a volatile interaction. A more highly trained force will result in better outcomes for both officers and suspects.