Rener Gracie’s latest endeavor has sparked a flurry of opinions within the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community. He introduced a collaboration with law enforcement, aiming to equip officers with new techniques for suspect control, reactions are mixed.
Some long-time BJJ practitioners express frustration, feeling that Rener’s initiatives are overshadowing established figures in the sport, like his uncle Renzo who has an established chain of Gyms in New York. Despite Renzo’s laid-back approach, some believe he should be more proactive in maintaining his legacy in the face of Rener’s ambitious moves.
Rener Gracie is a bit controversial. Much like his father, Rorion, Rener has gone far in attempts to extract the maximum value out of his name and the BJJ association at any given point in time. Rener previously caught flack for awarding Gracie University blue belts via mail after a student submits a demonstration of 92 BJJ techniques without a resisting opponent.
On the other side of the spectrum, many appreciate Rener’s efforts to bring more effective training to law enforcement. Critics of police practices argue that most officers lack fundamental grappling skills, and any program that enhances their ability to control situations without resorting to excessive force is beneficial. Training that reduces the likelihood of harm to both officers and civilians is seen as a step in the right direction.
CBS news was among the first to report on this collaboration with statemtents from Rener.
“It’s our hope with the safewrap system cops will get better trained and more effective in use of force, more reasonable in use of force, so over time we can repair the macro-relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” Gracie said.
The primary point of contention lies in the presentation of these techniques. Some view Rener’s “new” methods as merely repackaged versions of existing BJJ techniques. The so-called innovative “Safewrap” maneuver, which some claim is just a slightly modified gift-wrap, has been criticized for being marketed as groundbreaking. This has led to accusations of Rener leveraging slick marketing tactics to promote concepts that seasoned practitioners already know.
Rener is certainly nobody’s favorite having recently offered his expertise as an expert witness in the case that awarded $42M in damages to a BJJ student who was injured in class.
Despite the skepticism, the potential benefits of such training programs cannot be ignored. Improved police training could lead to better public safety outcomes and a reduction in unnecessary force. For some, the commercialization aspect is a necessary evil if it results in widespread adoption of safer, more effective policing techniques.
