UCM Alumni Foundation Funds New RedMan Suit for Police Academy

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 –The 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’s RedMan Suit and 24 padded training batons. Unrestricted gifts from donors made the grant possible.

“The RedMan Suit is crucial for optimal testing, training and evaluating the student’s ability to demonstrate mastery of defensive tactics techniques,” said Colin Comer, academy director. “The 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.”

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’ 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, “flipped” classroom and research into Missouri’s 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’s 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.