Hosted by the Western District of Virginia
September 2 and 3, 2026
On September 2 and 3, the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office for the Western District of Virginia will host a national jiu-jitsu seminar for law enforcement officers 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.
Date: The training will be on September 2 and 3 (travel days: September 1 and 4). The training will be from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Please do not schedule flights before 7 PM on September 3.
Target Audience: Open to any federal probation or pretrial services officer. 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 Roanoke, Virginia, at 210 Franklin Road S.W.
Transportation: The training venue is within walking distance of the hotel; however, students are responsible for transportation to/from the airport.
Cost: The training is free. Districts are responsible for all travel expenses, including travel to and from the Roanoke Airport. A block of rooms will be reserved at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Roanoke at the government rate. https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/roardhx-hampton-suites-roanoke-downtown/
Registration: Once you are approved to attend the training by your district, contact Jason Varney at Jason_Varney@vawp.uscourts.gov to receive registration instructions. There are limited spots available. Once full, those who wish to attend can be added to a standby list to fill any vacant seats if there are cancellations. Registration will close on August 1, 2026, or once we have reached capacity. After this date, those on the standby list will be contacted to fill any vacant seats.
FAQ
I have never done jiu-jitsu. Can I still attend?
You can and should attend. Our goal is to propagate jiu-jitsu training among law enforcement and, while viable self-defense techniques will be taught, we think the camaraderie and fellowship of the training will be more impactful to inspire students to continue training. So, yes, brand-new students are absolutely welcome.
What will students learn?
Students will learn jiu-jitsu techniques in full accordance with use-of-force policies, applicable case law, and best practices for law enforcement officers. The techniques will supplement nearly all current physical tactics lesson plans.
Is this just another physical tactics, arrest, and control training?
No. Our goal is to teach law enforcement officers techniques to achieve positional dominance during a physical altercation, even if they find themselves in a compromised position. This jiu-jitsu seminar is carefully crafted to immerse students in the martial art by teaching foundational jiu-jitsu techniques that enhance officer survivability, promote camaraderie and fellowship, and provide opportunities to network with like-minded individuals. Why? Because the FLEOA 111 Project wants law enforcement officers to begin, continue, and share their jiu-jitsu journey so officers can apply their acquired knowledge of biology, anatomy, and physics to solve a broad range of problems.
I already train jiu-jitsu, will I benefit from this seminar?
Of course! As a tenured practitioner, you understand that seminars vary. Sometimes you may learn a lot of new techniques, sometimes you learn different ways of executing familiar techniques, and sometimes you learn nothing; but in ALL seminars, you meet new people and help reinforce the importance of training.
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 teaches practitioners self-control, respect, body awareness, and the ability to remain calm during uncomfortable physical altercations. Jiu-jitsu also offers wellness benefits, including improved confidence, a sense of community and belonging, enhanced physical and mental health, and a lifelong learning experience.
Why is jiu-jitsu necessary 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 use-of-force incidents overall.
What do I wear?
In short, sandals and gym clothes with full coverage of the upper arm, belly, chest, and thighs. For more details, check out our Seminar Attire and Equipment Guide.
Who are the instructors?
Brian Bowers is a retired federal law enforcement officer and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who spent nearly two decades as an instructor in firearms, physical tactics, and search & seizure for his agency and at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). Having personally relied on jiu-jitsu techniques to save his own life, Brian advocates jiu-jitsu as essential training for all law enforcement personnel to enhance officer safety, reduce liability, and leverage better outcomes in use-of-force situations. Brian leads law enforcement jiu-jitsu seminars nationwide. Backed by twenty years of teaching adults, a Master of Science in Business Management, and current research in psychology and neuroscience, his teaching style will accelerate learning, increase retention, and deepen students’ understanding of the benefits of jiu-jitsu training.
Felecia “Rooster” Bowers is a federal law enforcement officer, physical tactics instructor, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt. As a jiu-jitsu instructor, Felecia leads a women’s program in Indiana and a law enforcement jiu-jitsu program within her agency. Felecia is a subject matter expert in all aspects of self-defense, such as target hardening, avoidance, situational awareness, de-escalation, post-altercation actions, and legal considerations. She uses her expertise to lead women’s self-defense seminars to raise money for local domestic violence organizations. Felecia teaches with humor and empathy, which appeals to a broad audience, including high school and college students, law enforcement, victims of domestic violence, business professionals, and anyone seeking to be better prepared for a physical attack.
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