Martial arts and police work?

Question

Iam a shaolin kung fu practioner, san shou fighter, and former wushu competitor. Ive really been considering entering the law enforcement field. Its something that has intrested me for a long time. I think its one of the most honorable things a person can do. But, a few friends have been ragging on me, especially some of my training partners and they say things like " If you become a "cop" , you can say goodbye to martial arts, you wont have time.", sometimes they even say " you gonna end up like one of those port-belly donut cops." , i know they are just kiddin around, but do you guys on YA think I can pursue this career and this maintaine a high level skill in martial arts. Thanks

Answer 1

Go for it!  I've trained with many peace officers in the past, ranging from correctional officers to Sheriff's deputies.

The way I see it, if you love to train, you'll find the time.

Answer 2

Well, since law enforcement occurs 24x7x365 I'm going to say it kind of depends on where your shift bid falls.  I think that you might have to change your schedule a bit, like maybe going to training before work instead of after work, but you should still stay involved in martial arts.  You'll need some type of active hobby to make you feel good and see the good things in life after dealing with criminals all day.

Answer 3

The shift work nature of being a police officer does tend to limit the amount of times your classes will coincide with your free time.

Answer 4

That depends on you and whatever else you become involved in I think.  I have several friends that are in law enforcement that do martial arts.  For some their martial arts has suffered but that is because of other things as well as their job.  Marriage,children, other hobbies all take additional time from their martial arts training time.  Not only that but it would probably be much the same if they were working in some other field.  Others still manage to get some good training time in but they usually are not playing golf or tennis or going fishing.  Their free time is dedicated in general to pursuing their martial arts training.  One of the big things I have found with a few of my students who are also in law enforcement is the availability of classes at wide a variety of times and days and evenings.  That seems to fit a busy, harried schedule more than anything else.

Answer 5

We have cops that train with us that are in pretty decent shape and good martial artists, however, they usually come to the 3 daytime classes we offer and are rarely there for the evening classes.

James

Answer 6

As a cop and a martial arts instructor, this is a two edged sword.. I have been teaching for more than 30 yrs and recently went back into the law enforcement field after a 2 yr sabbatical. With the schedule we work, it is hard to keep a steady training schedule.. I have some students who are with me on this sporadic schedule, so it makes it interesting to maintain a training program that can help in the development of your training as related to law enforcement work

Answer 7

If you are a true practitioner of the arts, you have already developed a training method that works for you, and it can be done in bit n pieces trought out the day or nite. I have trainned police officers and i know that theones i have mentored are very didicated people to their career as well as to the arts. in the end it is up to you to continue the process" i learned from my teacher that: if you are faithfull to your art, hte art will be faithfull to you in the time of need. so pratice. and then practice some more.

Sifu george C.

Answer 8

Yes you can definately be a police officer and still continue with great martial arts training.  I know several police officers who are great martial artists and continue to train.  One great thing that you can do once you become a police officer, especially with your experience in the arts is to get with the division that organizes training for the department and get involved.  One of the biggest things out there is the many Law Enforcement certified instructors will a lot of times give free weekend introductory seminars to a department.  Also as a police officer you would have many resources to use as far as receiving training and getting discounted training.

Answer 9

if the police force doesnt have restrictions against you go for it man reach for the stars...your training already has taught you the basics of police work patience intuition discipline i know a few at least martial artists who were cops in their day...best wishes

Answer 10

Hi there

Don't be put off in your choice of profession. I too am interested in joining the police in fact i have already passed the exams but there's no places available due to budget cuts here in the UK. I'm on the waiting list so to speak. . If you're country's Police forces initial training is anything like the UK then i wouldn't expect to get much MA training in until after the first 6 months. Then its a case of finding a balance between the shifts and training. I currently work 12 hour shifts so its a balancing game i play at the moment. What works for me is the weeks when i cant attend class i attend private lessons arrange by myself and my instructor. Failing that if you hold a high grade you can always get a small training group of new work colleges and train with them. I'm sure they would be interested in what you have to teach. At the end of the day a training body's a training body! There's no reason why you can do both. Just remember in any high demanding profession you will still have to juggle between work, MA training, holding down a relationship and keeping the family happy! What you loose in theoretical dojo skills you will replace with life skills.  

Balance in all things!

Don't give up on anything you really want just because someone doesn't recommend it or they don't want you to do it.

If you really want it then Go for it!

Best wishes

idai