Departmental Instructor Course
🗓️ April 21–25 | 📍York, PA
From April 21–25, law enforcement professionals gathered in York, Pennsylvania, for the Level 1-2-3 Departmental Instructor Course, hosted by Controlled F.O.R.C.E. This high-impact, five-day program delivered hands-on, scenario-driven defensive tactics training to departmental instructors from across the region.
The course centered around the Controlled F.O.R.C.E. M.A.C.H.™ System (Mechanical Advantage Control Holds)—a nationally recognized standard for empty-hand control techniques and hand-to-hand combat training. Designed to scale from recruit to veteran officer, the M.A.C.H. System’s Level 1-2-3 framework ensures instructors can build confidence, consistency, and safety in the field.
Level 1: Arrest and Control Tactics
The training began with Level 1 – Arrest and Control Tactics, laying a foundation that every officer can build upon. This section focused on techniques designed to safely control and restrain non-compliant individuals, minimizing risk to both the subject and the officer.
Topics covered included:
- Body Positioning Drills
- Mechanical Advantage & Leverage
- Control Holds for Compliance
- M.A.C.H.™ Takedowns
- M.A.C.H.™ Handcuffing Procedures
- Subject and Officer Positioning
- M.A.C.H.™ Team Arrest Tactics
- M.A.C.H.™ Baton Subject Control
The value of this level lies in its clear, teachable methodology. Department instructors now return to their agencies with a structured approach to train recruits or recertify veteran officers, reinforcing effective law enforcement training standards agency-wide.
Level 2: Officer Survival Tactics
Day three transitioned into Level 2 – Officer Survival Tactics, where techniques moved from basic compliance to critical survival skills. This level focused on preparing officers to handle unexpected threats with calm, clarity, and tactical precision.
Key components included:
- Hand-to-Hand Protection and Disruption
- Baton-Based Defense and Disruption
- Edged Weapon Awareness & Defense
- Ground Defense and Escape Strategies
- In and Out-of-Holster Weapon Retention
- Firearm and Weapon Disarms
Through repetition and scenario-based training, officers developed vital muscle memory, making these responses instinctual under pressure. These techniques are a must-have in today’s unpredictable field environments, especially where threats escalate without warning.
Level 3: Countermeasure Training
The final evolution of the course was Level 3 – Countermeasure Training, where advanced instructors were pushed into high-threat, close-quarter combat scenarios. This level emphasized proactive control strategies that neutralize threats before they escalate.
Topics covered in Level 3 included:
- M.A.C.H.™ 1–5 in Reverse Applications
- M.A.C.H.™ 6–10 Countermeasures
- Countermeasure Hand-to-Hand Drills
- Countermeasure Counter-Tie Drills
- Unconventional Weapon Draws
- Knife and Gun Countermeasure Drills
This elite-level training is designed for instructors preparing their units to manage extreme resistance or armed encounters, giving them tools to gain control swiftly without unnecessary escalation.
Empowering Instructors, Strengthening Departments
Each instructor walked away not only with enhanced personal skillsets but also with the ability to replicate these techniques department-wide. That’s what makes this course so impactful—it’s not just training, it’s force-multiplication.
Attendees now have the tools to:
- Lead internal certification sessions
- Enhance officer readiness and field safety
- Promote consistent application of force policies
- Reduce injury risk during physical altercations
Why This Training Is Essential
With the evolving demands placed on law enforcement professionals, the ability to respond effectively and professionally in high-stress situations is non-negotiable. The Controlled F.O.R.C.E. M.A.C.H.™ system provides the tools to do just that—through principled, proven, and practical defensive tactics training.
Whether you’re just starting a department training program or upgrading an existing one, integrating empty-hand control techniques and hand-to-hand combat training that align with modern expectations is critical to departmental success and officer survivability.
📣 Don’t Miss Out On Future Training Opportunities
Explore our training calendar to find upcoming Controlled F.O.R.C.E. courses in your area.
✅ Train Smart. Train Safe. Train Controlled.
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