The primary tool of the police is martial skills, which they must develop through persistent practice. They must continually seek to improve their abilities, constantly cultivating the essential qualities of prudence, ferocity, courage, and correct judgment. Even after years of learning, one can achieve only a superficial level.
Continuous practice to hone skills to perfection; complacency leads to deterioration of skill.
Fighting techniques must be continuously practiced and refined. The police officer must develop martial skills through constant combat practice and body conditioning. Whether training involves contact sparring or choreographed drills, the ultimate goal is to develop skills capable of overwhelming the most ferocious opponent. For when the day comes that he must actually use these skills in a real situation, the police officer must have a simple but effective repertoire of techniques that he can call upon naturally and instinctively. In combat, one must grasp four principles: fighting time, fighting position, fighting distance, and correct use of surroundings. The goal of combat training is to hone these tools, so that when facing a criminal, the officer will know the best time and place to attack, without having to panic and rush. When the officer attacks, he must act with power, confidence, and speed so as to intimidate the criminal into submission. Only in readiness can his fighting spirit be expressed.
Rectifying wrongs over time, to elevate the position of the police
The analogous ideas of “using laws to govern society” and “using technique to control an opponent” are different approaches to achieving the same goals. However, while “laws” are set through the cooperation of a representative body, martial skills are “passed down” from teacher to student, and further refined through practice. Laymen without such skill cannot contribute to the learning process, and the concept of “passing down” from master to student must be honored with the deepest sincerity.
The police officer must train continuously, endeavoring to develop abilities to achieve a state of perfection. Through the practice of superior martial techniques, he may rectify the wrongs of this world, and help to elevate the police in the public eye.
Continuous practice, strength through unity
Master Lo Man Kam is a true practitioner of Wing Chun, directly inheriting the tradition from Grandmaster Yip Man. He is one of the most advanced in martial arts circles, having already attained a profound level of achievement. Since receiving the honor of teaching the Peace Preservation Corps, Master Lo has shared everything with his students, without reservation. He is truly a model coach. His book Police Kung Fu embodies the essence of martial techniques.
This said, I have the honor of expressing my deepest appreciation and gratitude toward Master Lo for the publication of this book. I would like to stress the importance of continuous practice in an attempt to reach perfection, and hope that the reader will always remind himself of this fact. If all law enforcement officers can grasp the essentials of this book, the dregs of our society will tremble at our name. Righteousness must triumph over evil.
Lu Yu-sheng
Ministry of Interior, Police Chief
July 30, 1993
PROLOGUE
Prospective police officers must first complete a set course of study before gaining a mandate to serve. Besides having extensive knowledge of the law, police officers must also understand unarmed and armed martial skills, so that when facing any situation in the pursuit of their work, they can respond effectively and efficiently.
The martial aspects of police curricula include Judo, Tae Kwon Do, and other assorted techniques such as grappling, use of the police club, and skills for arresting a suspect. This curriculum undergoes revisions from time to time, to suit the needs of the police force in their ultimate goal of maintaining public order.
The author of this book, Master Lo Man Kam, has a profound understanding of martial arts, having studied Choy Li Fut kung fu under Master Chan Lu in Futshan, Canton, and later Wing Chun kung fu with his maternal uncle, the Grandmaster Yip Man. He is the third elder kung fu brother of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, and has continuously studied the fighting arts to enhance his already deep understanding.
Master Lo was born in Hong Kong, and later moved to Taiwan, where he graduated from Shihpai Military Academy and served in the Ministry of Defense as a martial arts instructor. He has also worked in the intelligence department of the Ministry of Defense, taught the Dominican Republic’s ambassador to the Republic of China, is an instructor of martial arts at the Chinese Culture University, and further trained members of the Special Investigation Department, Ministry of Justice. He currently holds the position of instructor to both the police SWAT teams and the bodyguards to the president, as well as being a member of the Chinese Kuo-Shu Federation Development Committee.
Besides this book, Master Lo has also published textbooks on basic Wing Chun kung fu and articles on Wing Chun techniques and self-defense. Outside of martial arts circles, he has also published articles in the monthly Mainland China Studies on mainland industries.
Police Kung Fu can give the reader new insights on martial arts, taking into consideration the concept of using natural human motions and enhancing martial theory with physics. His theories indeed correspond to strategies of war and military principles. The chapters of this book include “How to Train for Hand-to-Hand Combat,”“Techniques Against a Knife,” “Techniques Against a Gun,” “Use of the Police Club,” and “Unarmed Combat”; these form the basis of the police curriculum.
Liu Shou-de
Peace Preservation Corps
Taipei, Summer 1993
INTRODUCTION
TO THE AUTHOR
| Instructor: | Lo Man Kam |
| Birth: | Hong Kong, May 25, 1937 |
| Military Training: | Shihpai Military Academy, 1st Division, 13th Class |
| Military Experience: | Anti-Communism Committee, Overseas Bureau Army 84th Battalion (Sergeant Major) Ministry of Defense, Intelligence Division |
| Martial Arts: | Wing Chun kung fu, from Grandmaster |
| Yip Man | |
| Other notes: | Professor, Chinese Culture University, Taipei Instructor to the R.O.C. Peace Preservation Corps Police SWAT Team Instructor (unarmed combat coach), Ministry of Justice Special |
| Investigation Bureau Member, R.O.C. Kuo-Shu Federation Development Division | |
| Unarmed Combat Coach, R.O.C. Police College | |
| Wing Chun Instructor, Embassy of the Dominican Republic, R.O.C. |
Effective martial techniques