Most law enforcement officers, especially those on tactical teams, carry at least one knife on their person when on duty. In addition to the variety of utility functions a duty knife can perform, most officers carry a knife with intent to use it as a last-ditch survival weapon or weapon retention tool. Unlike other weapons officers carry, many agencies do not have a policy regarding knives. Consequently, the carry, deployment and defensive use of a knife is rarely trained.

Jared Wihongi began his law enforcement career as a Deputy Sheriff for the Salt Lake County (UT) Sheriff's Office. He then worked for the Salt Lake City, UT and South Salt Lake, UT Police Departments. He served as a SWAT Operator and as the head Use-of-Force Instructor in the Salt Lake City Police Academy and Training Unit. He currently serves as a Reserve Officer. He has been a guest instructor at multiple international law enforcement conferences, including the European Police Trainers Conference, International SWAT Round-Up, International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association conference, and the Mock Prison Riot. From 1994-1996, Jared lived in the Philippines. He was introduced to the Filipino martial arts, known for their combat focus and emphasis on edged and impact weapon application. Over time Jared moved up to the rank of Tuhon in the art of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali. A lifelong student of the combat arts, Jared has taken the opportunity to study Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, and the Polynesian martial arts of his native New Zealand (Mau Rakau), to name a few. Jared is the Founder and President of the Pekiti Tirsia Tactical Association, an international martial arts organization dedicated to teaching and training the Filipino combat art of Pekiti Tirsia Kali, with an emphasis on tactical application. He spends much of his time traveling throughout the United States, Asia, Europe, and South America, teaching civilian martial arts seminars through this association. He is fluent in Filipino (Tagalog), Brazilian Portuguese. Jared has a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Business with a major in Accounting.