It’s Like Human Chess

Jason Moore is a 14-year veteran officer with the Clearwater Police Department, and he has a “secret weapon” that gives him an advantage in tough take-down situations – he is a brown belt in the martial art of jiu-jitsu, and in June he is going to test himself against other fit first responders in an international competition: the 2025 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG).

“Jiu-jitsu is like human chess,” Jason explains. “Basically, you're using your opponent's strength and moves against them. An officer who trains in jiu-jitsu or some type of grappling statistically has a lower percentage of use of force. You're able to control somebody much more effectively, and it's been invaluable to me in my career as a police officer. It's such a great tool to have.”

While most of his experience has been in local tournaments and trainings at the nearby Safety Harbor Jiu-Jiitsu Academy, Jason will now take his skills to Birmingham, Alabama in June for the 2025 World Police & Fire Games. The massive multisport event anticipates 8,500 athletes from dozens of countries playing in a wide array of sports over 10 days. 

Jason knew the Games, which features active and retired police, fire, EMT and corrections  professionals, would never be as close again and jumped in, undaunted about the elevated competition. “I'm more of a hobbyist but have always been competitive in nature, so I might surprise myself,” he says confidently. “Some of these people, especially from Asia, have been doing it since they were little kids. Obviously, there will be some very tough competitors, and I ought to be real proud if I can take even one match from those guys.”

Hold on. Jason may be sandbagging a bit praising the more experienced players because he did have early exposure when his mom got him involved in freestyle wrestling as a kid. “I got the taste for grappling early, and I got introduced to jiu-jitsu when I joined the army in 2003. I didn't start consistently training until I became a police officer.”

The cagey cop casually adds that he goes to Brazil every year to train in the popular Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu style. “I love Brazil, and I have a lot of friends there. In fact, one of my friends just recently moved back to the U.S. from Rio de Janeiro and opened up his gym in Trinity a few miles north of here. His name is David Vieira, and he is a multiple-time world champion in jiu jitsu. I also train at his place, and he's a great resource as well.”

So he gets training tips from a world champion. Opponents beware, Jason may not be where you think he is when you make your move on the mat. 

Jason loves his career in police work and says he knew what he wanted to be early. “I got in because of my grandfather. He served in the military as a helicopter pilot during Vietnam and became a police officer when he got home. My grandfather raised me, and seeing him put on his uniform and badge every morning was awe-inspiring to me. I wanted to follow in his footsteps.”

He acknowledges the challenges and dangers of his occupation, but he has a stronger desire to help others. “It's not always good all the time, but there are a lot of times where we have positive interactions with the public,” Jason notes. “It's nice to come to somebody having some type of crisis and you solve it for them, and they're very thankful for that. I really enjoy that aspect of the job.”

The 40-year-old hopes to make his daughter proud when he goes on the world stage. “Win or lose, it's the experience for me,” he concludes. “But make no mistake, I'm definitely going there for the gold!”  

By Del Moon