ALEX PAREDES
ALEX’S STORY
Like a lot of young people growing up in the 80’s Alex was witness to the martial arts craze that blew up on the television and movie screens of America.
It was none other than the legendary “Bruce Lee,” from the “Green Hornet,” television series and movies like “Enter the Dragon,” that kick started Alex on his martial arts journey.
During middle and high school Alex was exposed to and trained in Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, and Chang Moo Kwan. As a member of The Pomona High School Martial Arts Club, Alex was able to work as an assistant instructor, earning his 1st dan in Chang Moo Kwan at the age of twenty-three.
Alex was also a proud member of the demonstration team that performed for years at the Los Angeles County Fair. Later, Alex would operate several studios in the cities of Pomona, Ontario, and Upland, teaching self defense classes to adults and to the youth of their respective communities.
His consistent training culminated to his current rank as a Master Level 6th Dan Black Belt in Chang Moo Kwan under Grand Master George Fullerton.
In 1995 Alex enrolled in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Joe Moreira. Next he trained under Professor Pedro Carvalho for a year, but due to an injury, stopped training completely.
In May of 2000 Alex was sworn in as a Police Officer and credits the completion of the Police Academy to Discipline he acquired by the practice of Martial Arts leading to his over twenty-two year career.
In 2008 he started teaching Martial Arts at the Redland Community Center and in 2009 he returned to BJJ after a fourteen-year hiatus! In 2010, he joined Javier Vasquez’s Strike Based Jiu-Jitsu and was awarded a Purple Belt in 2018.
Over the years he has competed in various tournaments and most recently in the Police and Fire Games, earning silver medals in the submission grappling events.
In addition, he has trained police officers, reserves and volunteers in basic self defense and defensive tactics. As a twenty-two year veteran of the Redlands Police force, he continues to seek and learn to improve himself. Alex recently attended the GST (Gracie Survival Tactics) classes, Level 1 and 2 and was certified as an instructor. He is also a Certified Taser, Verbal Judo and Defensive Tactics Instructor through POST (Police Officer Standards and Training).
In April of 2020, Alex joined Roy Dean Academy and is currently ranked as brown belt under Roy Dean, 4th Degree Black Belt. After twenty-two years of practical experience and research into martial arts, he felt the need to upgrade and augment officer training. This would place them above the minimal requirements of four hours of training, every two years, by the State of California.
He currently has developed an “open mat,” forum for officers to train on a on going basis, with the goal of being on the mat at least two hours weekly, thereby increasing their proficiency and knowledge more than threefold as required by POST.
This would also keep officers safer in terms of injury related events due to confrontations during the arrest of combative subjects. With a sense of pride and excitement, Alex looks forward to this new chapter in his career of law enforcement mentoring future leaders of the Redland Police Department.
Alex continues to mentor students of all ages at the Redlands Community Center via Street Smart Self Defense. The program is structured to promote leadership, good character, healthy habits, and a safe environment for students to bring out their best.
On its 14th year of existence, the Street Smart Self Defense program has produced many success stories, with students graduating to positions such as doctors, soldiers, attorneys, counselors and teachers.
Alex hopes to continue to stay active on the mat and to continue to share his experience with fellow officers, jiu jitsu practitioners, and students.