TCU Police offers self-defense training to equip students with life-saving skills

By Kaylene Cunningham, Staff Writer

Published Mar 7, 2025

TCU’s student athletes participating in the self-defense class hosted by Sgt. Richard Martinez of the TCU Police Department. (Richard Martinez)

The TCU Police Department hosts self-defense classes offered to TCU students to teach students life skills of self-protection for on- and off-campus threats.

TCU instructors and students participating in a self-defense class. (Richard Martinez)

TCU police officers and certified instructors offer self-defense classes that are open to all students and faculty, providing an opportunity to become better prepared.

“I thought of this idea while I was on patrol one night and decided to turn in the proposal to my bosses,” Sgt. Richard Martinez of the police department said. “I am a certified instructor and have to get certified every three years.”

These courses are focused on female self-defense tactics and self-protection, but males are also welcome to participate.

“We have taught over 600 students so far, both men and women, and we love teaching it,” Martinez said.

Martinez and his team teach the tactics to replicate self-defense scenarios from on- and off-campus threats. These scenarios include ways to deter threats from strangers, residential assistants and other students.

“I attended an RA meet-and-greet five years ago, and a student brought up living alone and having to sleep with a knife next to her bed,” Martinez said. “That’s when I decided to teach the program and build their confidence in defending themselves.”

TCU self-defense instructor Brenda Palone wearing combat gear preparing for the class.
(Richard Martinez)

During these classes, the group is divided into pairs, and the skills and tactics taught are practiced on each other. The instructor calls out different types of defensive tactics, and the team of two practices them on each other.

“We teach simple skills to beginners,” Martinez said. “The skills are easy to learn and the same ones I use to teach our officers: forearm strikes, shin strikes, pressure points, stun techniques and ground fighting to give the student enough time to escape.”

Toward the end of the class, some instructors dress in combat gear and allow everyone to practice what they learned. The instructor does different scenarios, such as a hair grab or wrist grab, and the students have to use the skills they learned to escape.

The officers host sessions all year with different groups and teams. For more information or to schedule a workshop, email Sergeant Martinez at [email protected].