Criteria to Become a GA POST Approved BJJ Instructor

Application for BJJ Instructors

GA POST wants to ensure that peace officers who train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) for POST certification train under qualified instructors in a controlled and professional environment. As there are variances in training backgrounds and teaching experience, GA POST is committed to vetting those who will train officers in BJJ. To that end, GA POST has established a GA POST BJJ Advisory Committee to review applications from schools/individuals requesting approval to train peace officers for GA POST certification. The committee consists of GA POST staff, other active peace officers trained in BJJ, and professional (non-law enforcement) BJJ coaches. The collective evaluation of the committee will consider applications for approval for training across a broad spectrum of qualifications, including, but not limited to:

• Years of BJJ practice
• Years of BJJ coaching/instructing
• Rank (belt level)
• Affiliations or associations with creditable BJJ federations/associations/instructors
• Law enforcement association
• Background/criminal history

For entities, schools, or gyms, the lead instructor’s qualifications will be considered for the entity, and other BJJ coaches coaching in that facility will be considered to be working under the authority of the GA POST-approved lead instructor.

Example:

The Lead Instructor for AAA Jiu Jitsu Gym is a 10 year BJJ black belt with 20 years of practice and coaching experience with some experience working with law enforcement personnel. Once that instructor is approved by GA POST, other BJJ coaches of lower rank or experience used by that instructor in their gym would be able to provide the requisite 100 hours of training while coaching in the gym. However, the same lower-ranking BJJ coach could not provide GA POST approved BJJ training outside of that gym without being individually approved.

Approval to train peace officers for their certification in Basic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Peace Officers must be granted before an officer can submit training hours towards their 100 hours needed for certification. However, as this certification is being started in mid-2022, once a GA POST approval has been granted, officers who have trained under a GA POST approved facility/trainer may “grandfather” previous documented BJJ training under that facility/individual.

Example:

AAA Jiu Jitsu is approved as a GA POST Facility in August of 2022, but has been opened and training BJJ since 2015. If Officer Jones has trained at AAA Jiu Jitsu since 2019, and has accumulated over 100 hours of training at AAA Jiu Jitsu, Officer Jones can submit verification of their training and be credited with the time trained prior to AAA Jiu Jitsu being approved by GA POST in 2022.

Scope and Goals

Although the fundamental principles of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) are generally agreed upon, diversity of styles, emphases, techniques, terms, and disciplines exist in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu profession. The goal of GA POST is not to govern exactly how BJJ is to be taught to peace officers in every detail, but rather to encourage peace officers to learn and practice the basic BJJ techniques that would be most applicable to peace officers in carrying out their law enforcement duties. Therefore, freedom is afforded BJJ Schools and instructors in training their students in ways they deem most appropriate. However, in order for a peace officer to gain the Basic BJJ for Peace Officers GA POST Certification after training for 100 hours, the officer must demonstrate proficiency in the techniques prescribed by GA POST to a GA POST approved BJJ instructor.

Criminal History and Background References

Any person representing an entity or an individual seeking approval to offer GA POST BJJ training must consent to have a criminal background check run and will be run through the US DOJ National Sex Offender Registry. At least two personal references vouching for the good character of the applicant must also be provided.

Additional Documentation

Applicants should also provide professional documentation, when available, to corroborate experience, rank, and other pertinent information.

Criteria for Approval

The final determination of eligibility to be approved by GA POST to offer BJJ training to peace officers will be made by GA POST staff in consultation with the GA POST BJJ Advisory Committee. Approval will be based on the totality of the application, and all applicants will be notified in writing of their approval or denial.

Special Events

If conducting a specific training event (such as a Gracie GST 40 hour BJJ Training Event) an officer will be able to be credited for that training, however, the event must be done in coordination with at least one GA POST approved instructor, and the officer must provide documentation of completing the event.

Approval Must Be Renewed Annually

Anyone approved to offer GA POST BJJ training must have their approval renewed annually. For the year 2022, approvals granted in 2022 will be valid until December 31, 2023. Thereafter, approvals will expire on December 31 of the year granted.

Cost for Application

There is no fee to apply for or renew GA POST BJJ Training Approval

Revocation/Suspension of Approval

GA POST reserves the right to revoke or suspend the approval to teach BJJ to peace officers based on credible information of problems associated with the entity or individual including, but not limited to:

• Sexual harassment
• Unsafe conditions
• Arrest/criminal activity of instructor
• Insufficient instruction
• Other factors determined by GA POST

GA POST, BJJ, and Use of Force

Training in BJJ, even through a GA POST approved entity/instructor is not a blanket endorsement of any use of force. Peace officers’ use of force is regulated by law and departmental policy and is judged by the totality of the circumstances involved in each encounter. Each peace officer must decide for themselves whether and when any force is used and what level of force is appropriate. Some of the techniques used in BJJ have the ability to cause injury and/or death (as does the use of batons, TASERs, OC spray, or firearms.) GA POST discourages individuals who are not qualified to give legal advice from doing so, and GA POST approval to offer GA POST training in BJJ does not confer any qualification to train peace officers in the legal use of force. Similarly, GA POST approval of BJJ training or any moves or techniques used in BJJ does not provide a defense for any use of force that is used illegally.

Application Instructions to Become a GA POST Approved BJJ Instructor

1. Apply to be a BJJ Instructor with GA POST. (See a sample application here.)
2. Email the completed application and any supporting documentation to helpdesk@gapost.org.
3. Provide any clarifying information or documentation requested by GA POST during application evaluation.
4. Receive certification (with an expiration date) from GA POST that will allow eligible peace officers to accrue the 100 hours of required training from you.
5. Renew application annually. Each certification will expire on December 31 of the year it is issued (with the exception of certificates issued in 2022, which will expire on December 31, 2023.)

2024 BJJ Instructor Renewal Instructions

You must complete and return the GA POST-Approved BJJ Instructor Renewal Form by February 29, 2024. Return the completed form to Lovako Patterson at lpatterson@gapost.org. Please note the web address for the Academy/School/Gym is optional.

BJJ Instructor Forms and Resources

Download Criteria and Instructions for BJJ Instructors

Georgia POST Instructor (including BJJ) Application

Sample BJJ Instructor Application

Curriculum

Skills Test

2024 GA POST-Approved BJJ Instructor Renewal Form

Criteria and Instructions for GA POST Certification in Basic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Peace Officers

Georgia POST Council Rule 464-13-.24 “Basic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Peace Officers” Certification. Each person applying for the basic level Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) for Peace Officers Certification must:

(a)Possess a Georgia POST certification as a Peace Officer, Corrections Officer, Parole Officer, Probation Officer, or Jailer,

(b)Be currently employed by a Georgia law enforcement agency,

(c)Complete 100 hours of organized BJJ training at a Georgia POST Council approved Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training facility,

(d)Demonstrate proficiency in the prescribed techniques as outlined in the GA POST approved Basic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Certification curriculum,

(e)GA POST Council Approved Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Training Facilities must meet all GA POST and recognized BJJ industry training standards. GA POST Council will develop methods to accept and evaluate applications for recognition as an approved Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Training Facility. Approval will expire in 12-months from the date of issuance, but may be renewed annually.

Scope and Goals

Although many of the fundamental principles of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) are generally agreed upon, diversity of styles, emphasis, techniques, terms, and disciplines exist in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu profession. The goal of GA POST is not to govern exactly how BJJ is to be taught or practiced by every peace officer in every detail, but rather to encourage peace officers to learn and practice the basic BJJ techniques that would be most applicable to peace officers in carrying out their law enforcement duties. Therefore, freedom is afforded BJJ Schools and instructors in training their students in ways they deem most appropriate. However, in order for a peace officer to gain the Basic BJJ for Peace Officers GA POST Certification after training in BJJ for 100 hours, the officer must demonstrate proficiency in the techniques prescribed by GA POST to a GA POST approved BJJ instructor.

Application for Certification

If an applicant meets the criteria of the GA POST Rule, they can apply for certification by:

1. Completing the BJJ Certification Application.
2. Submitting documentation of 100 hours of training through a GA POST approved BJJ instructor or school (Training Documentation Example);
3. Submitting the GA POST BJJ Skills Proficiency Test form signed by a GA POST approved BJJ instructor;
4. Emailing the application and documentation to helpdesk@gapost.org. Upon receipt and verification of all documentation, the applicant will receive a GA POST Certification in Basic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Peace Officers.

No Cost for Application

There is no fee to apply for or renew GA POST Basic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Peace Officers Certification, and there is no expiration date or need to re-certify.

GA POST, BJJ, and Use of Force

Training in BJJ, even through a GA POST approved entity/instructor is not a blanket endorsement of any use of force. Each peace officers’ use of force is regulated by law and departmental policy and is judged by the totality of the circumstances involved in each encounter. Each peace officer must decide for themselves whether and when any force is used and what level of force is appropriate. Some of the techniques used in BJJ have the ability to cause injury and/or death (as does the use of batons, TASERs, OC spray, or firearms.)

GA POST approval of BJJ training certification of a peace officer in BJJ or the application of any moves or techniques used in BJJ does not provide a defense for any use of force that deemed to be illegal or contrary to agency policy.

Information for Analysis of Program

The Application for Certification in Basic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Peace Officers will contain a section to provide additional information on the applicant that GA POST plans to use to conduct statistical analyses of the effectiveness of the program. This information is not taken into consideration in granting the certification. Any participation in future studies will be voluntary on the part of each officer.

BJJ Officer Forms and Resources

Download Criteria and Instructions for Officers

Application for Officers

Training Log Example

Curriculum

Skills Test