Sheep­dog Self-Pro­tec­tion Inc deliv­ers train­ing in the fol­low­ing areas:

  • Use of Force Theory
  • Nation­al Use of Force Framework
  • De-Esca­la­tion Com­mu­ni­ca­tion and Con­flict Resolution
  • Offi­cer Safe­ty- includ­ing Pres­ence, Sit­u­a­tion­al Aware­ness, Posi­tion­ing, Pre-Assault Indi­ca­tors, and Stress/Fear Management
  • Basic Con­trol Tactics
  • Hand­cuff­ing
  • Baton
  • OC Spray
  • Report Writ­ing
  • Use of Force Articulation
  • Real­i­ty Based Training

Objec­tive:

Our #1 objec­tive is to ensure offi­cers are mak­ing it home safe to their fam­i­lies at the end of each shift. “Safe” includes phys­i­cal­ly, emo­tion­al­ly, men­tal­ly, and psy­cho­log­i­cal­ly. We pro­vide offi­cers the train­ing and tools to devel­op their com­pe­tence and con­fi­dence enabling them to do their job safe­ly, effec­tive­ly, and efficiently.

Method of Delivery:

Kris does not intro­duce any phys­i­cal skills before par­tic­i­pants demon­strate clear under­stand­ing of the legal aspects regard­ing using force to pro­tect them­selves. With great pow­er comes great respon­si­bil­i­ty. Under­stand­ing what your author­i­ties are will increase your con­fi­dence and com­pe­tence and direct­ly impact your abil­i­ty to use ver­bal and non ver­bal com­mu­ni­ca­tion to de-esca­late a sit­u­a­tion. Par­tic­i­pants are edu­cat­ed on how to walk and talk their way out of a phys­i­cal encounter before learn­ing the phys­i­cal skills to pro­tect themselves.

In the case that they have no oth­er choice but to go hands on, par­tic­i­pants are edu­cat­ed on how to pro­tect them­selves using the min­i­mal amount of force nec­es­sary to main­tain their safe­ty, gain con­trol over the sub­ject, and/ or dis­en­gage and abort to a posi­tion of safe­ty. It is one thing to use force to pro­tect your­self. It is anoth­er thing to be able to clear­ly artic­u­late your actions. Kris dis­cuss­es all of the above and cov­ers in detail how to artic­u­late your actions, includ­ing your threat per­cep­tion, your legal author­i­ties, and the why you did, what you did, and how you did it.

The objec­tive in any inter­ac­tion is to use ver­bal com­mu­ni­ca­tion to de-esca­late the sit­u­a­tion. The objec­tive is to avoid a phys­i­cal encounter as, based on Kris’s expe­ri­ence, the sec­ond an offi­cer goes hands on with a sub­ject the offi­cers risk of injury increas­es as does the subject’s. When offi­cers lack con­fi­dence and com­pe­tence in their skills offi­cers often pan­ic result­ing in a high­er lev­el of force being used to pro­tect themselves.

Under­stand­ing ver­bal and non­ver­bal com­mu­ni­ca­tion, tac­ti­cal posi­tion­ing, threat cues, your author­i­ties, and how the body works (both yours and the sub­jects) will help you in your day to day duties and will make you a more con­fi­dent, com­pe­tent, and safer officer.

About the Instructor:

Kris Gref­fard is the own­er and lead instruc­tor for Sheep­dog Self-Pro­tec­tion Inc. She is a full time law enforce­ment offi­cer. She has been a police offi­cer for 11 years. She is cer­ti­fied through the Jus­tice Insti­tute of British Colum­bia as a Cer­ti­fied Use of Force Instruc­tor. Kris has been train­ing in self-pro­tec­tion since 2005, instruct­ing civil­ians since 2010, instruct­ing Law Enforce­ment since 2012, and instruct­ing Bylaw Offi­cers since 2015. She has deliv­ered train­ing to Bylaw Offi­cers on Van­cou­ver Island, the Low­er Main­land, and the Inte­ri­or of BC.

Why take this training?

“I would rather learn a skill I will nev­er have to use than need a skill that I have nev­er learned”- A very smart man who will remain nameless.

Tes­ti­mo­ni­als

Inter­est­ed in what peo­ple are say­ing about our Bylaw Offi­cer train­ing? Click HERE to vis­it our tes­ti­mo­ni­als page.

Inter­est­ed in bring­ing this train­ing to your municipality?

Con­tact Kris at 250–516-9798 or via email at [email protected]