No Weaklings or Drones Need Apply.

ONVINCED as I am that the subject will be interesting to health and strength readers,
I will endeavour to give a brief description of the physical requirements and training of
a Bradford City Policeman, as these, I believe, are typical of systems in vogue in other
parts of the country.

A candidate for that Bradford City Police must not be over 27 years of age, height not less than
5ft. 10in. without shoes; chest measurement 37in. next to skin.

He is medically examined by the police surgeon as to his physical fitness, and the slightest
defect furnishes sufficient cause for rejection. He must also be a good scholar and possess an
unblemished character.

Should he be able to fulfil all of the above requirements, he is accepted as a probationary

constable, having to serve a short period on approval during which time he is taught how to
discharge police duty generally. He is then, if satisfactory, recommended by the Chief
Constable to the Watch Committee as a fit and proper person to become a member of the
Police Force, which body in turn appoint him Constable.

He must then make himself thoroughly conversant with the deaf and dumb alphabet, for the
benefit of those unfortunate mutes who may be found destitute and wandering, or require police
assistance.

Lessons in "First Aid" are conducted by a police surgeon, and examinations are held periodically
until each student has passed the three grades, when he receives the St. John's certificate and
bronze medal. For the physical benefit of the Force, drills are held regularly under an efficient
drill instructor.

Swimming and life-saving classes are conducted twice per week by an efficient instructor, and
examinations are undergone annually in the Royal Life Saving Society's methods, a large
number of the Force having won the bronze medal and certificate.

There is also a fine tug-of-war team in connection with the police force, which has won many
prizes. By the way, there has lately been much correspondence in health and strength,
lamenting the absence of British heavy-weight champions. For the benefit of those who take so
gloomy an outlook, I would recommend a visit to the police athletic meetings and an inspection
of the tug-of-war teams that compete thereat in 'Bradford and elsewhere. I will undertake to say
these Jeremiahs who croak so much about physical degeneracy would there find specimens of
manhood who would compel their admiration, and transform even them into optimists. Given
the necessary training, we should very soon possess champions at almost any branch of sport
dominated by brawn and muscle.

Whatever class of athletics a policeman may specialise in, he is some what handicapped in his
training, owing to the irregular hours which he has to work, viz., alternate day and night duty.
The Bradford police recreation rooms comprise billiard-room; music and reading-room, rifle
range, and a fully equipped gymnasium. Gymnasium classes are held twice per week. Ju-Jitsu
and catch-as-catch-can wrestling, musical drill, pyramids, weight lifting, boxing, gymnastics, and
tug-of-war being the principal items of practice.

Police Methods of Self-Defence.

NOTE Whenever an assault is committed in the street by one person striking another the act
is invariably preceded by a threat to do so, the person who is about to commit the assault
adopting a threatening attitude. This must be your warning to be ready. A little practice at the
following will soon enable you to readily discern at what part of your anatomy the blow is aimed.

METHOD 1 For a straight left-handed blow at face stand with left foot slightly advanced,
bend both arms at the elbows, holding left hand in front in right breast, right hand directly below,
fingers of both hands pointing to the right. Guard the blow by swinging both hands to the left,
ducking head to the right, your left hand striking and seizing assailant's wrist, right hand
grasping his arm at the elbow. Turn quickly to the left, swinging his arm down to the left. At the
same time step in front of his legs with your right. He will be thrown to the ground face
downwards. To keep him down, retain your hold of his arm, hold his wrist about six inches off
the ground and pressing down on his elbow, kneeling on his left shoulder with the right knee.

METHOD 2 For right-handed blow, act reverse way.

METHOD 3 A right-hand hook for jaw. As assailant's arm is drawn back, quickly tuck your
head towards his left breast, stepping in front of both his legs with your left. At the same time
put your left hand under his right armpit, or against his back, and throw him forward over your

left leg. NOTE Whilst stepping in hold right arm in front of face for a guard, as assailant may
strike with left hand.

METHOD 4 For left-hand hook, act reverse way.

METHOD 5 For right-hand swing at ribs, bend left arm at the elbow, holding forearm across
front of body. To intercept blow swing left arm outwards to the left, striking your forearm against
his on the inside. Then instantly turn the palm of your hand upward by twisting your thumb
upward and to the left, placing your hand against the inside of his arm at the elbow. Place your
right hand on top of left, turn to the right, pulling his arm in the same direction, at the same time
step in front of both his legs with your left, throwing him to the ground.

METHOD 6 Left-hand swing at ribs, act reverse way.

METHOD 7 If an assailant is about to strike a downward blow at your head with a club or
some weapon held in the right hand, advance right foot, throwing up right arm, which must be
bent at the elbow, holding the hand above and in front of your head, palm to the front, fingers
pointing to the left. As his arm descends throw your right hand upwards, striking and seizing his
wrist. Quickly swing his arm downward, spring behind him and bend it up his back, at the same
time grasp his coat collar on the left side with left hand.

METHOD 8 Another defence for attack described in No. 7; act as in Method No. 2.

METHOD 9 If weapon is in assailant's left hand act reverse way to Method 7, or exactly as in
Method 1.

METHOD10 If assailant should seize your right wrist with right hand swing your arm upwards
and to the left, forcing your hand over his wrist. In whatever manner your wrist is seized by an

adversary with one hand always swing your arm in the direction of your opponent's thumb, in
order to force it open.

AST week I described to you the methods adopted by the Bradford City Police in dealing
with a ruffianly assailant or a prisoner who objects to being taken into custody. Similar
systems are followed by Constabulary Forces in other parts of the Kingdom. I propose
now to describe and illustrate a few other useful holds holds which may at any time
be useful to the ordinary civilian as well as the Policeman on his beat.

METHOD 11 (an assailant grasps your right wrist with both hands) Clasp hands by interlacing your fingers, step to the left with right foot in front of both his legs, turn your body in the
same direction. At the same time lift your hand upward in order to get your right shoulder under
his arms, then stoop forward and pull downward. He will either release his hold or be thrown
heavily over your shoulder.

METHOD 12 If left wrist is seized act the reverse way to Method 11.

METHOD 13 An opponent seizes you round the waist with both arms from the front with the
intention of throwing you. If his head is near your right shoulder place your right hand on his
forehead, left hand at the small of his back, draw his body towards you and force his head back.
If his head is near your left shoulder act the reverse way. Whilst practising, do not force your
opponent's head back too suddenly, or you may seriously injure him.

METHOD 14 If you are seized as in Method 13, but your arms are held to your sides in the
grip. Your adversary's head is near your right shoulder. Bend sideways to the left, at the same
time pulling out right arm, then act as in Method 13. If his head is near your left shoulder act
reverse way.

METHOD 15 An assailant grasps you by the throat with both hands from the front. With your
right hand reach over both his arms and grasp his right wrist, thumb on the inside and fingers on
the outside of his wrist. At the same time seize his right arm from underneath with the left hand,
just above the elbow, thumb inside, and fingers outside his arm. Quickly turn to the right,
swinging his arm round in the same direction, stepping in front of both his legs with your left. He
will be thrown to the ground face downward. To keep him down, do as described in Method 1.
Practise reverse way, grasping his left wrist with left hand and so on.

METHOD 16 An adversary grasps you by the throat with both hands from the rear. Spring
backwards as close to him as possible, stooping well forward, legs apart. At the same time put
both hands between your legs and grasp his left ankle, pulling it forward and upward. He will be
thrown to the ground on his back. To hold him down keep his leg between yours, turn to the left,
pulling his ankle well under your right arm, get your right forearm under the calf of his leg, left
hand on his knee on the inside, grasp your left wrist with right hand, squeeze his ankle between
your upper arm and body, press hard on his knee, stand upright, and turn to the right. You could
easily dislocate his knee. Practise reverse way, grasping right, ankle, and so on.

METHOD 17 If you are seized round the upper arms and chest from the rear. With right leg
instantly step back on the outside of assailant's right leg, grasp his trousers at left leg with your
left hand, then quickly stoop forward, at the same time swinging your right shoulder, down. He
will be thrown over your hip as in the cross-buttock; assist the movement by lifting up-ward with
left hand.

METHOD 18 If you are seized as in Method 17, but your arms are free, being held round
chest only, if his fingers are interlaced, insert the finger tips of your right hand under the finger
tips of his right, your left hand working in a similar manner until you can grasp one of his fingers,
then bend it back until he releases his hold. If in order to have a firmer hold he should grasp his
left wrist with right hand, put the heel of your right hand on the back of his left, and the heel of
your left hand against the finger tips of his right; push down with right hand and upwards with
the left.

METHOD 19 If you are seized round the waist from the rear do exactly as described in
Method 16.

METHOD 20 If you are seized as in Method 19, but your arms are held to your sides, your
opponent's arms encircling yours just below the elbows, suddenly stoop forward, putting your
arms out behind you, then do as described in Method 16.

METHOD 21 Should an assailant secure your head under his left arm (both facing the same
way) and is striking your face with his right hand, that would be termed "head in chancery," hold
your left hand in front of your face, palm outwards, to receive the blows thereon. With your right
hand reach over his left shoulder and place it on his forehead, forcing his head back. At the
same time put your left hand between his legs from the front and seize his left leg behind the
knee, lifting it up as he falls on his back to the ground, turn right about, keep hold of his leg, and

get his ankle well under your left arm. Place your right hand on his knee, fingers pointing to the
left, get your left forearm under the calf of his leg, and grasp your right wrist with left hand; keep
your left leg well advanced, stand upright, press hard on his knee, and lift upwards against the
calf of his leg with left forearm; practise reverse way, putting your head under right arm.

METHOD 22 Whilst struggling with an assailant you have fallen or been thrown to the
ground, and he, being on your left, is about to kick you with his right foot. Turn quickly on to
your left side, put your left foot outside of, and behind, his left heel, your right foot against the
inside of his left knee, the toes of both your feet pointing to the left; push with right foot and pull
with left, or use the "scissors throw." As he approaches you get him between your legs by
swinging your right leg back against the front of his thighs. At the same time swing your left leg
forward against the back of his knees, using your legs like a pair of scissors closing; hence its
name. Practise reverse way.

If you should ever be placed in an awkward corner, the holds I have described will at all events
help you to come out "on top."

Their practise is also excellent from the point of view of exercise.

Source: "Health & Strength" October 1908.