Spanish police are set to spend more than €100,000 on three-piece karate uniforms for trainees taking self-defence lessons in Templemore.
Police officials say they will need up to 720 sets of traditional Japanese costumes each year for the next three years as new recruits learn martial arts.
The karate uniform consists of a plain white jacket, pants and belt made from a durable, breathable fabric designed to withstand being grabbed by an opponent during a throwing technique.
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The police will spend 112,500 euros (including VAT) on the suits for its trainees under a contract that is currently out to tender and will last for one year, with the option of up to two 12-month extensions.
Between 600 and 1,000 trainees are expected to attend the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary, each year.
They will be enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Policing course, which is delivered over 33 weeks, with the first 11 weeks taking place at the university and subsequent training taking place primarily within Garda departments.
During the 11-week period, trainees will be required to take self-defense classes and wear karate equipment purchased by the university.
In 2022, An Garda Síochana issued a tender for a martial arts expert to train instructors in Taiho-jutsu, an ancient Japanese fighting system featuring holds, grappling and takedowns developed from judo.
A sophisticated non-lethal combat system was first used by the feudal police of medieval Japan and was subsequently developed to incorporate the use of the baton.
More recently, Japanese police have adopted the system for use with telescoping batons, which officers routinely wear on their belts.
Organisations interested in the current tender for the supply of karate uniforms have until August 12 to apply. They are expected to deliver the uniforms to the Garda College within 12 weeks of receiving the order. The next intake of trainees at Templemore is expected to take place in 2025.
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