Safety officer's self defense program is a hit (and a kick) with kids
8-Aug-1997, by Monika GuttmanEven if he's in full uniform and driving his USC Department of Public Safety car, when kids in the neighborhood see officer Daniel Hect these days, they're likely to bow and say "Hey, Sensei!"
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| Safety Officer Daniel Hect teaches a self-defense class for local children at the Hazard Park Recreation Center. A typical class covers escapes, holds, kicks and pressure points. | |
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That's because Hect, a black belt in USA Goju karate, is becoming well known for teaching a six-week "Keep Me Safe" course in self defense this summer to community youth at the gymnasium in Hazard Park. Every Monday and Wednesday afternoon, more than 30 youngsters, ages 5 to 13, spend an hour learning escapes and other fundamentals of self protection. That is followed by a course taught to teens.
The self defense class is officially an offering of the summer camp at Hazard Park. But Hect receives no money for his services, which are part of his work as one of the Dept. of Public Safety's COPPS (Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving) officers. "I wanted to establish a rapport with the kids," he said. "Karate has done a lot for me, and I think it can do a lot for young people."
Indeed, Hect has a school in his own home where he teaches karate to neighborhood kids during the school year. He taught karate to youngsters and adults before he came to USC, when he was a police officer with the Department of Defense.
Hect began taking karate in 1980 when he was in the Air Force, stationed in the Philippines. "I was a policeman, but I was tall and skinny -6 feet 3 inches and 132 pounds," he laughed. "I was kind of a shy guy growing up. It really changed my life. It also helped me as an athlete."
Hect just won two bronze medals in karate at the Police Olympics last month-an athletic competition between police officers statewide. One was for fighting, and one for "kata", or form. "I'm a very traditional martial artist," he said. "This is more of an art form for me." He smiled. "It also keeps me in shape. I don't know too many 35-year-olds who can still compete with the young guys."
His "Keep Me Safe" program has been such a hit at Hazard Park-with more than double the 10 or 15 students initially expected-that he will teach a karate class this fall. Again, he'll volunteer his services through the COPPS program.
The study will be a little more formal, with students wearing the traditional gi (pronounced GEE) and learning fundamental form. The first lesson: undoing some of the stereotypes the kids have learned from television.
Article reprinted with permission. The original source is located here.
