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Dan Shanahan

To whom it may concern,

My name is Dan Shanahan, and I have been a police officer with the Des Plaines, IL police officer for over four years. I worked as a uniformed patrol officer for almost three years, and I have been a narcotics officer for almost one year now. I was introduced to the art of Wing Chun Kung Fu approximately three years ago, and it has become a learned asset for the job that I am grateful to have. I used to have the mentality that brute strength was necessary for me to defend myself on the street, both professionally and personally. When I met Dan Halligan, he changed my mind set completely. Wing Chun has taught me numerous fighting principles that not only made me more competent when defending myself, but Wing Chun has also given me a secure feeling when encountering any situation that may arise in my life. In the police profession it is necessary for police officers to put their hands on a lot of people. Not only on a lot of people, but a lot of different types of people. Wing Chun Kung Fu has allowed me to learn how to keep a calm posture in any confrontation, and to remain relaxed. Relaxation is a fighting principle taught in Wing Chun Kung Fu. Not only have I learned how to stay relaxed while becoming physical with people, but Wing Chun has taught relaxation to me as a mind set. I've learned to stay relaxed even when tensions are running high, and I need to think of a solution quickly so the situation does not turn into a physical confrontation. In addition, working with Dan Halligan, we've been able to create new ways of searching people and handcuffing persons that, I believe, is much safer and effective than the techniques taught in many of police academies across this country. Also, Dan Halligan has worked with many of my fellow officers to teach them simple yet effective take down and gun retention techniques. Again, I believe these techniques, applied with Wing Chun Kung Fu fighting principles, far exceed any other techniques I have learned. Dan Halligan is able to show students that it does not matter what size you are, male or female. The techniques are very effective for those who do not possess a large stature or have a knowledge of fighting skill. The art of Wing Chun, as taught by my friend Dan Halligan, has increased my confidence on the street as a police officer, as well as a private citizen. I have also been in limited physical confrontations where the applications I learned from Dan Halligan have proven successful. I reflect and think about how these confrontations would have turned out if I had never learned the law enforcement applications taught by Dan Halligan.

I have attended numerous seminars taught by Dan, and I have also helped him instruct as well. I have also passed the applications taught to me onto the entire Des Plaines, IL police department during our in-service training. The applications you can learn are invaluable.

If you wish to contact me to talk more about Wing Chun Kung Fu as it applies to law enforcement, feel free to contact me at any time. You may do so by calling the following numbers:

Work: 847-391-5416 (Des Plaines Police Department)

Cell: 847-812-0595