News release

Beyond the badge: How judo is bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community

November 28, 2025 - British Columbia, British Columbia
From: British Columbia RCMP

Content

In many ways, policing and martial arts share the same principles: discipline, personal growth, respect, and service to others. For Constable (Cst.) Tyson Perry, a 14-year member of the RCMP, these values come together both in uniform and on the judo mats as athlete, volunteer and mentor.

By establishing a judo club at his workplace and volunteering in his local community, Cst. Perry has created a space where community members, youth, and colleagues can connect through sport, mentorship, and shared learning.

His work demonstrates how law enforcement can go beyond the badge by utilizing martial arts to strengthen trust, build relationships, and inspire resilience and confidence within the community.

The art that sparked it all

As a member of a generational RCMP family and a descendant of former RCMP Commissioner Aylesworth Bowen Perry, Cst. Perry grew up alongside the stories and legacy of policing in his family. His father, a karate instructor, understood the realities of law enforcement, and he encouraged his son to study judo from a young age. That early passion eventually led Perry to train abroad in Japan where he earned his black belt and judo instructor certification.

“Judo is a metaphor for life,” says Cst. Perry, recalling how the sport shaped his mindset that he needed to succeed during his RCMP application process and Depot training, drawing parallels between judo and policing.

“Courtesy and respect are a big factor in Judo. Before a match, you must bow in respect to your opponent. Then, you can start calculating the next moves, the times you fall and get up to continue, this is similar to the Depot training and frontline policing. Like the two activities, you must mentally prepare yourself, and overtime things become easier because you have done it before. Judo is a metaphor for life.”

In judo, every student learns foundational techniques such as the Ogoshi (hip throw), Harai Goshi (sweeping hip throw), and Osoto Gari (leg sweep). But what differentiates fighters is how they demonstrate and add their own style to these movements. Cst. Perry notes that frontline policing reflects this same balance: officers receive similar training, but how they apply those techniques depends on the unique needs of each situation and the individual(s) they encounter.

“Judo is ideal for policing training, the foundation of judo is to learn how to break falls and avoid injuries”, he explains. “In policing, you are walking into a call, unaware of what is to occur next, judo is your reaction to their action, you want to come out of every situation safe and unharmed.”

Living judo’s strongest values

Guided by the principles of Jita Kyoei (mutual aid and benefit) and Seiryoku Zenyo (maximum efficiency) and despite his demanding schedule as a Major Crimes Investigator, Cst. Perry finds the time to volunteer at local judo dojos, becoming a trusted and familiar presence in both the judo world and in public.

Today, as an instructor at the Langley Judo Club, a non-profit organization, Perry teaches students of all ages. His teaching style focuses on structure, positive reinforcement, and meeting people where they are, whether they’re first-time participants or adults overcoming physical limitations.

His lesson plans, aligned with the standards of Judo Canada emphasize on safety, preparation, and adaptability.

Building community through Green Timbers Judo Club

Cst. Perry’s work extends beyond his judo volunteering. In 2023, Cst. Perry founded the Green Timbers Judo Club which aims to foster camaraderie, skill development and provide a healthy outlet for police officers and RCMP staff. With over 45 members in the club, Cst. Perry instructs the class every Thursday evening.

Recently, Cst. Perry secured $20,000 in funding from the Civil Forfeiture Office of BC to purchase new judo mats. This funding directly benefits the police officers and staff at the club, but most importantly in the self-defense workshops he teaches on and off site.

With a strong presence in the judo community, Cst. Perry and the Green Timbers Judo Club’s outreach also extend to the BC RCMP’s recruitment efforts, connecting recruiters and club members with young judo athletes interested in learning about a career in policing. His most notable and recent experience was arranging RCMP Red Serge ceremonial members to take part in the winning ceremonies at the Pacific International Judo Championship, bridging the gap between policing, community engagement and the world of martial arts - the three core components of Cst. Tyson Perry’s life.

Earlier this year, he was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of his contributions.

Road to Japan 2026

In January 2026, Cst. Perry and 22 law enforcement officers from across the Lower Mainland, and as far as Washington State, will travel to Japan for the International Police Judo Exchange.

With judo being the taught defensive tactical system of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police since 1888. Perry will lead the Canadian Police Judo Team to train with the various Japanese police department judo teams, studying the origins of police judo, learning training methods first-hand used, and explore how martial arts, especially in Judo, can be used to manage real-world situations safely and effectively.

Through the Green Timbers Judo Club and his decades of community involvement, Cst. Perry has redefined what it means to serve.

“Judo is about mutual benefit and that translates into society and by instilling good values around you, you are allowing society to benefit and that is why I always say judo is life.”

Quotes

“Judo is about mutual benefit and that translates into society and by instilling good values around you, you are allowing society to benefit and that is why I always say judo is life.”

Constable Tyson Perry

Contacts