Parents and students,
Thank you for visiting my website. My name is Sean Calhoun and I am the law enforcement teacher at Travelers Rest High School. I have over 20 years in law enforcement ranging from the United States Air Force, Greenville County Sheriff's Office, SC Army National Guard, United Nations, Greenville City Police Department and Mauldin Police Department.
Here you will find useful information regarding what to expect in the law enforcement courses. Listed on this page are letters directed to you, the parent. The first letter explains defensive tactics. The second letter explains the video consent. Please read the letters carefully so that you understand what will be reviewed through out the courses. If you have any concerns, questions or comments please contact me at scalhoun@greenville.k12.sc.us or 864-355-0024 during office hours. **Update** Please refer to the Covid - 19 page for elearning instructions.
Defensive Tactics Letter
Parents,
Your child will be instructed in the basic PPCT system. The Pressure Point Control Tactics system is used by hundreds of major law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and the world. It is used largely because of its three components of acceptability.
1. Tactically sound
2. Medically sound
3. Legally sound
From the tactical standpoint, techniques are easy to learn and retain. The training uses commonality in techniques, stimulus-response training and gross motor skill development. There are three types of motor skills - fine, complex and gross. I begin with teaching gross motor skills first, because it is mostly skills based on pushing and pulling and is used the most in stressful situations.
The medical implications of each technique have been researched to ensure the medical implications were proportional to the level of resistance. The purpose of this system is to control resistive behavior with techniques that have minimal chance of injury. The use of joint locks, arm bars, balance displacements and take downs followed with pain compliance negates most attacks without long turn body damage.
South Carolina has a "stand your ground" law which protects those who use force in self-defense. The stand your ground law is found in the Code of Laws in Title 16, section 16-11-440.
According to this law, if a person is not doing anything illegal and that person is attacked in any place where he or she has a right to be (including your home, your work, or a public place), that person has the right to stand his ground and "meet force with force, including deadly force," as long as he "reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily injury to himself or another person or to prevent the commission of a violent crime as defined in Section 16-1-60."
Legally, the PPCT system teaches a simple use of force continuum that clarifies the appropriate force level for every level of resistance. Because each technique is based of gross motor skills there is no need for certifications or certain degrees of in martial arts. Most techniques are based on reactive responses. In other words, you will have to be attacked first before most techniques can be used. By using simple techniques that controls the aggressive actions with minimal injuries you are less likely to held liable in a court of law.
If you have any concerns or questions please contact me at scalhoun@greenville.k12.sc.us. If your child has any health or personal concerns that will not allow him/her to participate in this part of the program please contact me.
Video Letter
Parents, as you know law enforcement is a very dangerous and highly stressful career. Our curriculum is designed to give the student a firsthand guide and experience before entering the law enforcement career field. As part of my lesson plan I show videos, actual police clips and documentaries ranging from patrol, violent crime investigations, narcotics, courtroom procedures and current events. However, due to the subject matter and content, I seek your cooperation in allowing your child to view these video clips and police reports. If for any reason you or your child feels that exposure to these videos and news clips are too graphic I ask to that you contact me. In turn I will provide an alternate lesson plan or activity for your child. Thank you for your assistance in making this school year a great one.
Dear Parents,
I will be showing the movie/television show [insert movie title here] on [insert date(s)] as part of a lesson we are studying in [course/class name]. This movie is rated [insert rating and definition]. As required by district policy, I am requesting permission for your child to watch this movie/television program in my classroom. This movie/television program ties in with the lesson content we are studying and also covers the following content standards:
[insert standards here]
Please sign the form below and return it to school with your child. Alternate assignments will be provided for students if permission is not granted to view the movie/television show. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
[teacher name/signature] Date:
[teacher email] [teacher phone number]
Please complete the form below and return it to school by [date].
Student Name: ____________________________________
_____ I give my child permission to view the movie(s)/television show(s) above.
_____ I do not give my child permission to view the movie(s)/television shows(s) above. Please provide an alternate assignment.
_________________________________________ _________________________
Parent Signature Date