Eager for a chance to refresh their skills in the martial arts, LNP and ERU officers in Grand Gedeh County made a dash for it when the Indian Formed Police Unit in Zwedru rolled out a month-long training programme late last March in self-defence techniques.

“We took this training at the Police Academy, but ever since some of us graduated five to six years ago, we have not had the chance to improve on our skills,” Region 4 LNP Commander J. Patrick Smith conceded. “To our delight, the Indian FPU embraced the idea when we suggested they enhance our capacity in self-defence.”

About 20 officers from the two police units, including the Commander himself and two women, attended the training, which was provided by four instructors from the Indian FPU2.

Starting 29 March 2013, the LNP and ERU officers drilled in the martial arts disciplines of Judo, Karate, Kung-fu and Kata two hours a day, three days a week.

Over a period of four weeks the officers revisited the different fighting stances in which the hands and feet double as weapons. They topped this up with an insight into the vulnerable parts of the human body. The officers also drilled in punch, kick, block, throw, hold and lock techniques.

“The training should enable them respond confidently in situations where they are forced to defend themselves while trying to protect the public,” said chief instructor Sunil Sain of the Indian FPU2.

Sain maintained that a recourse to martial arts was only logical for police officers who, after all, do not generally carry arms.

Over the years, assistance from the Indian FPU 2 in Grand Gedeh County has been both technical and operational. In particular, the Indians conduct joint patrols with the LNP as well as guide their Liberian counterparts in dealing with security issues.

“We work in close collaboration with the Indian FPU, which is why we were able to arrange this training with them,” Smith observed, further noting that LNP units meet regularly with the Indians to discuss security in Grand Gedeh County.

“The Indian FPU 2 has been very cooperative and we really appreciate this,” the Assistant Commissioner of Police told UNMIL Today.