Police Survival and Defense Institute

PSDI specializes in teaching cutting edge techniques, strategies, and methods that empower the public safety official with the ability to survive and win in combat situations.

PSDI understands that the physical ability to win or survive is only a part of the puzzle.  The public safety official must have the will to survive and win. PSDI’s unique training regimen also provides the public safety official with the latest psychological training to strengthen and forge the will to win and survive.

PSDI’s physical combative tactics combined with its psychological training make PSDI truly superior and unique in its field. Its instructors possess over 200 years of combined training ranging from law enforcement combatives to mixed martial arts.

PSDI Training Seminars & Programs 

Educational Level System

Following in line with our overall mission, we have developed an educational level system.  This system is designed to help identify the professional’s commitment to enhance their personal and professional development in safety and survival.  Each level is determined by the professional’s knowledge and survival awareness as they progress through training.  This tactical defensive education system is comprised of three categories: Defense, Weapons, and Ground Control/Arrest Positions.  

Cop Shop

The “Cop Shop” monthly training allows officers the opportunity to share their on-duty experiences.  This allows us to develop and improve techniques, based on those experiences.  We modify, specifically for that officer, and enhance their knowledge base within the parameters officer safety and survival.     

“Send Back-Up” Program

Our “Send Back-UP” Program allows prior course participants the opportunity to attend another PSDI course at a discounted rate.  If the prior participant brings another public safety official to one of our courses, at the regular tuition rate, then the prior participant can attend the course at half price.   

PSDI Mobile Training Unit

We will develop training courses for any Department, Agency, or Corporation seeking knowledge and instruction in Survival and Defense. Once a course is designed, a mobile unit will be en route to you. Each designed course will employ lecture, demonstration, and practical application. 

Online Training Courses 

PSDI’s online training courses allow you the opportunity to train at your own pace that is convenient to you.  You will have access to take the course when you want at the click of the mouse anywhere in the world.  You will be able to revisit the selected course module as many times within a specific time period.  You will also have the opportunity to test your knowledge by submitting to us a video of you performing the technique.  After successful completion of each module you will receive a module completion certificate for your training file.  

PSDI specializes in these key areas of training:

• Law Enforcement & Military, 
• Security, 
• First Responder
• Corporate Safety Training
• VIP Training
• Environmental Training
• Combative Training
• Multiple Attack Defense
• Tactical Mind-Set
• Combat Fitness Training
• Transitional Training
• Subject Joint Control & Restraints
• Firearm Retention & Disarms
• Quick Take down to Control & Arrest
• Detention & Correction Officer Training
• Report Writing: Documenting Use of Force
• Tactical Leadership Training
• The Importance of Physical Fitness
• Edge/Blunt Weapons
• Ground Defense & Control
• Tactical Rope Defense

Our PSDI TEAM 

Vice Commander

Carl D. Wilcox PhD 

Director of Operations

Shaun L. Ward MBA 

Achievements and Acknowledgements

• 5th Rank in Freer Martial Arts
• 2nd Dan Taiho Jutsu
• 1st Dan Yamanaka Kojute JiujitsuSenior Instructor, Police
• Survival and Defense Institute
• 2010 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, World Kwanmukan Society
• 2010 Leadership Award, World Kwanmukan Society

Since 2002, Mr. Ward has been employed with the local Police Department in Asheville, North Carolina. Officer Shaun Ward also serves as a team member of the department’s Special Weapons and Tactics team. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Mr. Ward is certified by the Sate of North Carolina as a Subject Control and Arrest Technique Instructor. He is an adjunct instructor of the North Carolina Justice Academy teaching subject control and arrest techniques. Mr. Ward also serves as a advisor to the academy within their tactical/technical curriculum.

Ward started his Martial Arts Training in 2004 under the direction of Hanshi Carl Wilcox at the Center for Martial Arts in Jiu-Jitsu and Taiho Jutsu. He also studies under Peter Freer as a student of Freer Martial Arts in Jeet Kune Do and Muay Thai/MMA.

Director of Development

Peter A. Freer M.Ed. 

Achievements and Acknowledgements:

• 7th Dan Taiho Jutsu
• Director & Founder - Freer Martial Arts
• Master Instructor, Police Survival and Defense Institute
• 2010 Leadership Award, World Kwanmukan Society
• Co-author of United Nations white paper on Human Performance Management
• Lectured on behalf of NASA at the National Space Society Conference in Washington,DC
• Lectured at the United Nations on the physiology of learning

Mr. Freer is a veteran educator of fifteen years in the public school system.  Freer is also founder and CEO of Unique Logic + Technology and Freer Logic, LLC.  He holds a  Masters Degree in  Education from Western Carolina University and specialized in Educational Technology.
Mr. Freer began training in martial arts 41 years ago at the age of ten. He incorporated boxing into his martial arts regimen by age 17. He has 7 professional boxing and kickboxing wins with no losses. He trained with Cherokee Golden Gloves champion, Robert Squirrel and boxing veteran Walt Seeley.
In his martial arts travels over the next twenty years he studied with catch wrestlers including the champion, Tim Geoghegen. He studied with Bruce Lee’s protégés, Dan Inosanto and Larry Hartsell. Mr. Freer also studied Muay Thai kickboxing with Ajarn Surachai “Chai” Sirisute.

Freer has directed security for restaurant chains, acted as a body guard, run nightclub security, and instructed Police Defensive Tactics courses for the National Park Service. He currently resides in Asheville, NC.

Freer was the original trainer of UFC veteran, Spencer Fisher. Freer’s eclectic martial arts system (Freer Martial Arts) includes western boxing, Jeet Kune Do, catch wrestling, jiu jitsu, judo, muay Thai, and Filipino kali. The system focuses on realistic combat, applications,  methods, and psychology.



Director of Training 

Jeff Rhodes 

Achievements and Acknowledgements:

• 5th Dan Kwanmukan Karate
• 5th Dan Yamanaka Kojute Jiujitsu
• 5th Dan United States Ju-Jitsu Federation                                                                 
• 5th Dan Taiho Jutsu
• 4th Dan Shuri-Te Jiu-Jutsu
• 3rd Dan Kodokan Judo
• Senior Instructor, Police Survival and Defense Institute
• 2010 USA Karate National Champion, Kumite (35-45yrs.)  
• 2010,2009,2008 Outstanding Leader, World Kwanmukan Society
• 2006 Outstanding Senior Sportsman Award , United States Ju-Jitsu Federation
• 1977,1978 Junior Olympic Champion, Judo
• 1995 USA Karate Team Member, Bronze Medalist Goodwill Games, Greece

Mr. Rhodes is a Senior Commercial Relationship Manager for the South Financial Group in Asheville, NC. Jeff Rhodes has been in the banking industry for ten years with education in Business Management and Communications at the University of North Carolina, Asheville.

Mr. Rhodes began his training in Judo in 1977 at the Dale City Judo Club in Dale City, VA under the direction of Major Williams of the United States Air force. In 1991 Jeff began his training in Karate, Jiu-Jitsu, Tae Kwon Do and Kobudo under the direction of Hanshi Carl Wilcox at The Center for Martial Arts in Asheville, NC. Rhodes has competed in the Martial Arts since 1977 on a state, regional, national and international level in Judo, Karate and Ju-Jitsu.

Jeff Rhodes is a full time instructor at The Center for Martial Arts and is a certified Self-Defense, Rape and Assault Prevention Instructor.