CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — Probation officers from both the Pickaway County Common Pleas Court and the Circleville Municipal Court probation departments recently completed specialized tactical and self-defense training aimed at improving officer safety and minimizing physical force in the field.
The instruction was conducted at Roundtown Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy and led by head instructor and owner Donnie Worthington, a black belt and active-duty Columbus police officer.
Designed for unpredictable and high-stress environments encountered during residential field checks, the curriculum focused on:
- De-escalation strategies to diffuse potentially volatile encounters.
- Ground-defense and restraint techniques that utilize leverage rather than striking or aggressive force.
- Structure approach and room clearing maneuvers tailored specifically for home visits and field supervision.
“By training with Coach Worthington and Roundtown BJJ, our staff gains reliable defensive tools to keep them safe when they are out in the field with individuals under our supervision,” said Kurt Stewart, Chief Probation Officer for the Pickaway County Common Pleas Court. “Our probation officers are trained how to neutralize threats and use leverage rather than physical force.”
Court officials noted that the collaborative effort aligns with broader statewide efforts to modernize tactical preparation for probation departments across Ohio.
