Universal Principles of Combat - Gabe Suarez

[esrice]

Originally Posted by shooter521

Anyone else have an issue with this?

That paragraph stuck out to me as well.

I understand the principle, but the example used sure leaves a lot of "gray area" questions. The tricky part in ANY action pre-fight is that it is no longer self-defense, as you are now on the offensive. That certainly isn't a bad thing, but it could make articulating your actions to a jury a bit more interesting.

And we see what fun time Bush had trying to convince people that a preemptive strike was a good thing.

[GPD177]

I think what we need to take away from that is to be "on guard" at all times. I agree, as a police officer, that I would have a hard time justifing cold cocking a dude "just standing there" with a mag lite. That being said I do like the idea of seeing it coming and then moving "off the X" or doing something else. In that particular example it could be something as simple as taking a casual step back or to the side that would throw his punch off and make him take an aggressive step forward to contiune. At that point you would be a little more justified in taking more aggressive action.

[BillD]

Isn't Gabe a convicted felon? I was pretty sure he did time in prison for some fraud deal?????

[esrice]

Originally Posted by BillD

Isn't Gabe a convicted felon? I was pretty sure he did time in prison for some fraud deal?????

Link?

[Vigilant]

Originally Posted by BillD

Isn't Gabe a convicted felon? I was pretty sure he did time in prison for some fraud deal?????

This has been beat to death on many websites and by several trainers who disagree with his methods, or just plain don't like him, or the fact they thought he was a felon. AFAIK, he plead out to a misdemeanor and did a few months, although he was charged with felonies. I for one have trained with his company, not personally with him as instructor, and find his methods to be another tool in the box. YMMV

[Lucas156]

I think that his principles are dead on and he points some problem areas with our society today. Now as far as him cold cocking the dude because it looked like he was about to hit him it sounds like it was appropriate. Its all about judgement calls. He made the judgement that the guy was an imminent physical threat so he did what he thought was necessary and used appropriate level of force. When I took martial arts "appropriate level of force" was one of the most emphasized things we learned. My point is that Shooter made the point that "clocking/stabbing/shooting people at the first sign of potential trouble" is not a good thing. I see where you are coming from however it sounded like Gabe used the "appropriate level of force". There are huge differences in clocking, stabbing, or shooting someone. He stopped what he perceived an imminent physical threat but didn't cause serious or long term injury to the perp. To me that is win/win

[tyler34]

Sheppard or sheep? thats what it comes down to IMO sheppards are offensive and sheep defensive. some people are born sheppards others cultivate it and vice versa. in the case of the maglite, better safe than sorry he obviously had seen that posture result in bad news before if he recognized what it was and acted INSTINCTCUALLY which is ALWAYS the right thing to do. I think gabe is a phenomenal trainer and as far as I'm concerned word=gospel, the guy is no nonsense to the point knows his stuff through experience like every good instructor should.

[BillD]

Originally Posted by esrice

Link?

I got this after an internet search.

As I mentioned in another thread, are you aware that Gabe is a former Santa Monica leo who was convicted of worker's comp fraud and theft. With all of the other excellent instructors out there, he isn't one I'd generally listen to.

He was actually charged with felonies, but accepted a plea bargain, as did his wife, and was convicted of [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]misdemeanors[/color][/color]

. He did some time in L.A. County Jail around the time I was a Sgt. I don't know which facility he was in tho. He also had to pay $112K in restitution.

Here is a link to the article written in Santa Monica about his case. Also, if you google: Gabe Suarez' conviction for grand theft and worker's compensation fraud," you will get a number of interesting reads.

Former Officer Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges

By Teresa Rochester

Sept. 27 -- A former Santa Monica police officer has pleaded guilty to Workers Compensation fraud, money laundering and grand theft and will begin serving a year-long jail sentence for the crimes next week.

Gabriel Saurez, a decorated 12-year veteran of the SMPD, will report to Los Angeles County Jail to begin serving his sentence on Monday as part of a plea agreement reached last week in Los Angeles County Criminal Court. Saurez, who recently resigned from the force, also was sentenced to five years probation.

Saurez, his wife Cheryl Saurez and Officer Jason Comer pleaded not guilty in April to charges of conspiracy, Workers Compensation fraud and grand theft. Saurez also faced two additional fraud charges.

Like her husband, Cheryl Saurez agreed to plea guilty during last Friday's hearing. She was ordered to serve one [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]day [COLOR=blue! important]in [/color][COLOR=blue! important]jail[/color][/color][/color] and also was sentenced to five years probation.

Comer's charges were dropped in June, and he remains on paid leave pending the conclusion of an administrative investigation, according to Police Chief James T. Butts Jr.

As part of the agreement, the charges of conspiracy against the Suarezes were dismissed, as were the two additional counts of Workers Compensation filed against Gabriel Saurez, said DA spokesperson Sandi Gibbons.

The Saurezes paid a $100 fine and $112, 250.01 in restitution on Friday, according to Deputy Dist. Atty. Ellen St. John.

Chief Butts said Saurez's plea was a testament to the "hard work, time and effort that the risk management and our criminal division officers have put into this case.

"The good thing is the City of Santa Monica has received full restitution for all wages that were paid in this fraudulent claim," Butts said. "The jail sentence that was imposed by the judge sent a strong message that this type of misconduct will not be tolerated by the City of Santa Monica,"

Gabriel Suarez allegedly worked as a gun tactics trainer while receiving Workers Compensation for a slip and fall accident in the SMPD's locker room in 1999. Cheryl Suarez allegedly received payments for work done by her husband through a company she never worked for. The dismissed charges against Comer were based on allegations that he received and disbursed money for Saurez.

The Saurez case stemmed from a long-term investigation of Workers Compensation fraud within the police department launched late last year by the department, the District [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]Attorneys[/color][/color] Office and the State Department of Insurance.

The investigation also has resulted in charges filed against Officer Richard Robert Brulato, who pleaded not guilty in June to two counts of Workers Compensation Fraud.

Butts said the investigation is "definitely ongoing.

"We have other cases we are actively looking at and investigating. Fortunately at this point those cases are few," said Butts adding that they would be vigorously pursued.


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Link to article: http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_s...ud_Charges.htm

[esrice]

Interesting.

I am curious how, according to the article, he received over $100k from Worker's Comp. That would be like his entire salary for 2 years as a cop. And I'm doubly amazed that he simply "paid it all back".

[TheDude]

All fights are ambushes. Be the ambush-er and not the ambush-ee.




Alot can be avoided by simply understanding this.
Gabes got good stuff, regardless of his criminal history.
Having worked in the IDOC for several years, I came to the realization that not all convicted persons are "Jeffery Dahmer-pedophile-drug dealing scum". Im not naive enough to think they are innocent but some people just do DUMB stuff and they pay for it .