About 30 Ill. officers take self-defense class

JOLIET — A specialized training class has brought self-defense tactics used by the Israeli Defense Forces to northern Illinois.

About 30 law enforcement officers attended a free two-day training class sponsored by Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow and the Illinois State Crime Commission.

Glasgow's office says Krav Maga is the official self-defense system of the Israeli forces.

Officers were trained in hand-to-hand combat, handgun defense and weapons training.

Among other skills, they were taught how to subdue offenders who are carrying guns, knives or baseball bats.

Officials say the training was adapted to comply with use-of-force standards for American police departments.

Prosecutors, police administrators and police liability defense lawyers assisted with the adaptation.

A second training session is planned for the spring.