State’s Attorney Glasgow partners with Illinois State Crime Commission to provide additional law enforcement self-defense training

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January 6

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow once again is partnering with the Illinois State Crime Commission (ISCC) to provide highly specialized self-defense training for law enforcement officers.

State’s Attorney Glasgow and the Crime Commission, under the leadership of Executive Director Jerry Elsner, will offer free Martial Arts training to police officers throughout the region. The training will be held from 2:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Victory Martial Arts Academy, 15414 70th Court in Orland Park.

This is the second in an ongoing series of specialized training for law enforcement officers. The upcoming training will be conducted by Dion Riccardo, a master instructor in the Filipino Martial Arts Stick Combat. The co-instructor of this training will be Dave Gomez, director of Martial Arts for the Police and the Sheriffs Athletic Leagues of Illinois.

“The Illinois State Crime Commission is committed to providing local police officers with the kind of hardcore self-defense training they need on the street to protect themselves and the public,” said ISCC Executive Director Elsner. “This training will be even more important as police agencies throughout the region prepare for this spring’s G-8 and NATO summits.”

State’s Attorney Glasgow said: “The Illinois State Crime Commission’s key concerns have always been officer safety and protecting civilians. I am proud to partner with the Crime Commission once again to offer the kind of police training that accomplishes both of these critical goals.”

Dion Riccardo has more than 25 years of tactical training experience and holds instructor credentials in kick boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, Filipino Martial Arts (Weapons) and Jeet Kune Do. He has trained with some of the world’s elite Martial Arts instructors. Riccardo is the founder of Victory Martial Arts Academies. He is a regularly sought seminar instructor and has taught various law enforcement and military defensive tactics courses.

Dave Gomez, a 21-year employee of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, also has more than 25 years of training and experience. He has been an ardent student and Martial Arts instructor and has trained in Tae Kwon Do, Boxing, Jun Fan Gung Fu, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He holds instructor certification in Tang So Do, Filipino Martial Arts and Jeet Kune Do. He will focus on proper defensive tactics for law enforcement officers. He is a member of the Police Athletic League of Illinois and has participated in several charity events focusing on assistance to children. 

Spaces available for the free training are limited. For information or to enroll, contact the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office at (815) 723-1630. Or visit the Illinois State Crime Commission Web site at illinoiscrimecommission.com.