Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   Defensive Tactics

 Title Abbreviation:   DEFENSIVE TACTICS

 Department:    CJ

 Course #:    107

 Credits:    4

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    4.5

 CIP:    430103

 EPC:    832

 REV:    2018


 Course Description  

Overview of the basic defenses and counter measures against offensive attacks and the various methods used with the aggressive or violent and those affected by drugs and alcohol. Discusses use of force models, mechanics of arrest, transport considerations and reporting requirements. Covers higher-level force including strikes, kicks, impact weapons and chemical agents.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: Department Chair approval.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 33

Lab: 22

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Required for ATA degree  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
N/A

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Understand the general guidelines that allow for the proper use of physical force. List at least four major reasons for justifying the use of physical force.
  2. Define and list elements of the Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary strike zones. List three guidelines for the use of force.
  3. Define which Constitutional Amendment is most commonly used to invoke the Civil Rights Act in issues of excessive force.
  4. Demonstrate the techniques shown and define the primary and secondary components of each.
  5. Articulate the elements of Graham v. Connor and how this court case affects the criminal justice system.
  6. Describe and perform a minimum of three hand strikes approved by the WA Criminal Justice Training Commission and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
  7. Describe and perform a minimum of three kicks approved by the WA Criminal Justice Training Commission and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
  8. Describe the use, carry, force considerations and application of oleoresin capsicum pepper spray and other chemical agents.
  9. Demonstrate simulated application of chemical agents using inert sprays.
  10. Describe the use, carry, force considerations, and application of straight stick and collapsible batons.
  11. Describe appropriate first aid measures for the law enforcement officer to provide to assist persons to which escalated use of force is applied.
  12. Construct appropriate use of force reports that describe incidents and mitigate claims of liability or excessive force.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

0. Application and Integration

Definition: Applying information from one or more disciplines and/or field experiences in new contexts (Outcome 0.1); developing integrated approaches or responses to personal, academic, professional, and social issues (Outcomes 0.2-0.5).

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
0.3 Identify and evaluate the relationships among different perspectives within a field of study and among different fields of study.

1. Information Literacy

Definition: Recognizing when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
1.5 Effectively integrate and use information ethically and legally to accomplish a specific purpose.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and facts related to a specific discipline.
2.4 Evaluate decisions by analyzing outcomes and the impact of actions.
2.9 Apply and/or create problem-solving strategies to successfully adapt to unpredictable and/or changing environments.

3. Communication

Definition: Understanding and producing effective written, spoken, visual, and non-verbal communication.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
3.3 Demonstrate effective listening skills.

4. Community & Cultural Diversity

Definition: Recognizing the value of human communities and cultures from multiple perspectives through a critical understanding of their similarities and differences.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
4.2 Understand, value and respect human differences and commonalities as they relate to issues of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities and culture.
4.4 Demonstrate effective communication across differences in human communities and cultures.

6. Individual Awareness & Responsibility

Definition: Understanding, managing, and taking responsibility for one’s learning and behavior in varied and changing environments.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
6.1 Identify ethical and healthy choices and apply these personally, socially, academically, and professionally.
6.2 Demonstrate standards of professionalism in manner, appearance, and setting appropriate to the context, including the classroom, workplace, and community.
6.4 Use self-reflection to recognize and define a sense of self-identity in personal, social/gender, and/or cultural/global terms and in relationship to others.
6.5 Develop self-monitoring and self-advocacy skills to effect positive life changes.

10. Technology

Definition: Understanding the role of technology in society and using technology appropriately and effectively.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
10.2 Demonstrate an understanding of legal, ethical, and environmental issues in the use and misuse of technology.

Course Contents

  1. Defensive tactics and self-defense. Primary, secondary, and tertiary strike zones.
  2. Graham v. Connor.
  3. Hand strikes and kicks approved by the WA Criminal Justice Training Commission and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
  4. Oleoresin capsicum pepper spray and other chemical agents and using inert sprays. Straight stick and collapsible batons.
  5. First aid measures for the law enforcement officer to provide to assist persons to which escalated use of force is applied.
  6. Use of force reports that describe incidents and mitigate claims of liability or excessive force.