The Police Training Center at 708 W. Milam St. was busy last week as two new trainees went through the paces of learning how to defend themselves on the street.

Michael Benton and Patrick Mitchell were being put through their paces by Sgt. Roland Rodriguez and Patrolmen Mark Cruz and Arturo Hernandez.

The instructor, Staff Sgt. Richard Cantu, was leading the class as the others provided individual pointers during the first day of a two-day, 16-hour course.

Wednesday’s class was dedicated to teaching the trainees self-defense tactics and how to fall. The second day was devoted to learning the use of a baton and using pepper spray.

“These officers carry 20 pounds of equipment,” Cantu said, “so it’s important that they know how to fall.”

Most of that equipment is carried on the officer’s belt but each patrolman also wears a heavy ballistics vest which adds to the weight.

Cantu said officers are taught how to “go into a defensive guard position so they can protect themselves from assault by blunt objects or knives.”

During the first day of the course on Wednesday the officers covered 13 topics. Information and drills came at them fast and there was little time for rest and relaxation.

The self-defense training takes up the first week of every patrol officer’s nine-week field training regimen, Cantu said. He described the training as “rigorous,” taking in every aspect of law enforcement work as it relates to Beeville.

Officers learn criminal and civil administration procedures, court testimony and a variety of other subjects and end up riding patrol with veteran officers before they are allowed on the streets by themselves.

The officers are required to pass written and practical examinations before completing the program and the practical exams are videotaped and the tapes are kept in each officer’s training file for future reference. Officers are required to pass written examinations before they are allowed to proceed to the next phase of their training.

Cantu said all this is required of officers, even though they already have attended and graduated from a regular police academy.

Cantu, who has a background in martial arts, has instructed the self-defense portion of the course since 2000. He also teaches a Women’s Defense Course at least once a year.

A significant number of women have completed that course.

Cantu said he is planning to schedule another defense course for women, probably in April.

As in the self-defense course for officers, women taking the course are brought up to date regarding criminal and civil laws in Texas. Women also are taught the same basic self-defense tactics that the patrol officers learn.

Cantu will announce the dates for this year’s women’s course and provide information on enrolling for the training at a future date.

He encourages women to sign up for the course because it gives them an excellent opportunity to learn new skills that could protect them and their families in the future.