CHATHAM, NJ -- Police in New Jersey looking for ways to protect themselves and take control of a bad situation involving physical force - without using a gun, a taser or a choke hold - are gravitating to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, translated from Japanese as "the gentle art."

At least that's what Chatham Borough Police Sgt. Wayne Shivers was promoting on Sunday morning when he organized a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu seminar for law enforcement that was held in the wrestling room of the Chatham Township Municipal Building.

"Typically, most force situations involve physical force, not firearms, pepper spray or tasers," Shivers said. "We're not mandated to train in physical force and we have way more physical force situations than deadly force. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu shows how to control people with deescalation in mind."

SIGNUPSCRIPT

Shivers has been training with Frankie Roberts, who runs Silver Fox Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in East Hanover, for the past 2 1/2 years and enlisted him to demonstrate some techniques that the police can use on the job. Roberts, who started out as an MMA fighter, has been teaching BJJ fulltime for the past eight years.

"They don't have to hit an assailant, they can control them in a way that doesn't hurt the other person and they're not going to hurt themselves," Roberts said. "I've seen videos of multiple police trying to control one person. This is perfect for that line of work."

Frankie Roberts demonstrates a passive BJJ move that can be used to take a violent suspect to the ground

"I started training a year and a half ago," Florham Park Police Officer Faith Niemynski said. "I'm a small officer (5-3, 120) and I'm the only female in my department. It was important for me to take it upon myself to become proficient and more hands-on, especially with the use of force policy in New Jersey. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu helps me in my personal life and my work life, and I enjoy it."

Frankie Roberts demonstrates a move police officers can make when someone throws a punch at them

Chatham Borough resident Peter DiMaggio has been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for 16 years and has a black belt that took him 11 years to earn. He joins in training sessions with the Chatham Borough Police.

According to DiMaggio, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu evolved from Japanese Judo, which is a much more powerful form of martial arts.

"In Judo, you pick people up and throw them," DiMaggio said. "In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, someone might be sitting on the ground and they'll be in the more advantageous position. You're in a bad position and it helps you get into a good position. The secret sauce of Jiu Jitsu is that weaker and lighter individuals can handle someone much larger. The idea is to use these tools to subdue people in a gentle way. We call it physical chess."

Shivers noted that there are a lot of police Jiu Jitsu clubs popping up. He was joined at the seminar by Chatham Borough Police Chief Brian Gibbons and Chatham Borough Detective Andrew Pereira. Law enforcement officers from Jersey City, Harrison, Kearny, Wharton, Florham Park and the Essex County Sheriff's Office also participated in the seminar.

"This is something that should have been done a long time ago more regularly for police officers," Gibbons said. "When you're confronted with somebody who is combative or violent, there is anxiety that comes with that, nerves. You get stressed and you get winded really quick. You typically burn out while you're resisting. When you burn out, you get exhausted and then officers will typically resort to more serious mechanical or lethal force options.

"What this does is it teaches guys how to maintain their body that prevents injuries to both parties and maintain control until a partner can come and get control of the entire situation. This is long overdue."

At the end of the seminar, Roberts surprised Shivers by presenting him with his purple belt (see below), which took him five years to attain.