Hosted by the District of Utah for U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Safety Instructors
August 26-27, 2025
On August 26 and 27, 2025, the District of Utah will host a National Jiu-Jitsu Seminar for U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services safety instructors led by FLEOA 111 Project Lead Instructor Brian Bowers and Vice President Felecia Bowers. No jiu-jitsu experience is necessary to attend these two full days of training.
The objective of the seminar is to teach comprehensive officer survival skills on the ground using jiu-jitsu techniques and to promote jiu-jitsu training among safety instructors in an effort to propagate the martial art throughout the system. The techniques are aligned with aspects of FPPA training and the curriculum is supported by the same.
Date: The training will be on August 26 and 27, 2025 (travel days: August 25 and 28). The training will be from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Please do not schedule flights before 7 PM on August 28.
Target Audience: Open to any district or FPPA safety instructor who has completed ISIC. Students who desire to learn more about jiu-jitsu through physically demanding, mentally challenging, and fast-paced training will enjoy this unique opportunity.
Location: U.S. Courthouse in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Cost: The training is free. Districts are responsible for all travel expenses, including travel to and from the Salt Lake City International Airport. A block of rooms will be reserved at the Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel located at150 W 500 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, at the government rate.
Registration: Once you are approved to attend the training by your district, contact Tasia Benzmiller at tasia_benzmiller@utp.uscourts.gov to receive registration instructions. There are limited spots available, so only one student from each district may attend. If more than one district safety instructor wishes to attend, they can be added to a standby list to fill any vacant seats. Registration will close on July 11, 2025, or once we have reached capacity. After this date, those on the standby list will be contacted to fill any vacant seats.
FAQ
What will students learn?
Students will learn jiu-jitsu techniques in full accordance with the Use of Force policy, applicable case law, and best practices for law enforcement officers. The techniques will supplement current ORT and Advanced Ground Defense lesson plans.
Is this Gracie Survival Tactics (GST)?
No. This jiu-jitsu seminar is carefully crafted to comport with current national lesson plans that will immerse students in the martial art.
What is jiu-jitsu and why is it important?
Jiu-jitsu is a practical, self-defense martial art that focuses on avoiding conflict, preventing a fight from going to the ground, and winning a ground fight by subduing the attacker. While that sounds dangerous, jiu-jitsu as an art teaches practitioners self-control, respect, body awareness, and the ability to remain calm during uncomfortable physical altercations. Jiu-jitsu also provides wellness benefits such as improved confidence, a sense of community and belonging, improved physical and mental health, and a lifetime of learning.
Why is jiu-jitsu important for law enforcement?
Studies show that law enforcement officers who lack training in joint/body manipulation and leverage will resort to other tools that could be ineffective, unsafe, or an excessive force response. Law enforcement agencies that provide jiu-jitsu training report a significant reduction in injured officers during physical engagements and a reduction in use of force incidents overall.
Who are the instructors?
Brian and Felecia Bowers will lead the instruction.
Brian is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Professor Chris Popdan and the Carlos Gracie, Sr. lineage. In 2024, he was awarded his professorship by João Paulo Martins under the Oswaldo Fadda lineage. Brian is the professor of The Hangout Jiu-Jitsu Club and a coach at the Franklin Jiu-Jitsu Club. He is the lead instructor for the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) 111 Project and a former academy instructor.
Felecia Bowers is an instructor at The Hangout Jiu-Jitsu Club and leads a women’s-only jiu-jitsu program at the Franklin Jiu-Jitsu Club. Felecia is the district lead safety instructor in the Southern District of Indiana and an adjunct academy instructor. She is the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Agency President for the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and the Vice President of the FLEOA 111 Project.
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