By Traci Via,
January 12, 2016
PHOTO: Central Missouri Police Academy cadets Daniel Henry, left, Osage Beach, and Jeremy
Head, right, Warrensburg, demonstrate the RedMan suit.
WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥揟he Central Missouri Policy Academy at the University of Central
Missouri obtained critical new equipment this semester for safer student training
of defensive tactics. A UCM Alumni Foundation Opportunity Grant funded the purchase
of a full instructor鈥檚 RedMan Suit and 24 padded training batons. Unrestricted gifts
from donors made the grant possible.
鈥淭he RedMan Suit is crucial for optimal testing, training and evaluating the student鈥檚
ability to demonstrate mastery of defensive tactics techniques,鈥 said Colin Comer,
academy director. 鈥淭he batons allow the dynamic simulation of street confrontations
and are necessary for a safe training environment. We are grateful to receive this
support from the UCM Alumni Foundation and realize that it also is our generous donors
whom we should thank.鈥
The academy is part of the Missouri Safety Center, located at 200 Ming. It hosts three
academies a year, each with about 18 to 24 students. Comer estimates that each student
will spend about 100 hours learning defensive tactics training with the RedMan Suit.
Since starting the Opportunity Grant Program three years ago, the Foundation has authorized
$98,583 for innovative ideas that faculty and staff have to improve students鈥 learning
experiences. Among the 14 projects funded this fiscal year are an aerial drone for
communications, masculinity sensitivity training, West African drums, a storytelling
lab, 鈥渇lipped鈥 classroom and research into Missouri鈥檚 state aquatic animal, the paddlefish.
The UCM Alumni Foundation is a nonprofit organization that raises money to benefit
UCM and its students. Established in 1979, the foundation procures, maintains and
administers philanthropic gifts that advance the university鈥檚 mission and help students
attain their college goals. Learn more at ucmo.edu/foundation.
To find out more about the RedMan Suit, contact Comer at 660-543-4090.