By John Brown
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 3, 1997

UAPD offering free defense class

The University of Arizona Police Department began free self-defense classes Monday in an effort to teach campus community members skills that could help protect them.

The classes are designed to teach simple defensive techniques that could be used in the event of an attack, said UAPD officer Donald Buttery, who is teaching the two session, two-hour classes.

"We're not teaching martial arts, just real basic strikes and kicks that could stun an attacker long enough to give a person an avenue to escape danger," Buttery said, adding the class also covers balance, breathing techniques and ways to recover from getting knocked down.

Buttery said he also teaches preventive methods to use during someone's daily routine like where to park and how to carry personal belongings, which could reduce the chance of being victimized.

Several departments have already shown interest in the first eight scheduled classes that run through Oct. 21 and Buttery said he will continue to add classes as long as there is a demand.

He said staff from the Main Library has already gone through a class and classes employees from space sciences and the college of nursing are planned.

He said he hopes participants will gain an inner confidence that they have the ability to handle themselves, which could possibly spark an interest in taking martial arts.

"It's a fun time and a pretty good cardiovascular work-out," said Buttery.

There are still UAPD self-defense classes with space still available:

Mondays 10/13 and 10/20

9 to 11 a.m. Student Recreation Center

Wednesday 10/15 and 10/22 9 to 11 a.m. Student Recreation Center

To sign up call 621-UAPD or e-mail Officer Donald Buttery -dbuttery@u.arizona.edu