----Where were you born?

Michael I was born in Inglewood, California

----What did you want to do when you were a child? What were you interested in?

Michael I always had an interest in Martial Arts. When I was maybe 10 or so I took Kenpo Karate through the YMCA for about 6 months or so. I then started again in High School for about the same amount of time. I knew when I was old enough I wanted to be either a Firefighter or Policeman

----How did you first get involved with shorinji?

Michael I actually learned of Shorinji Kempo through a Chef at a Sushi Restaurant were I regularly go. I don't remember exactly how we got on the subject of Martial Arts but we were talking one night and he knew I was a Police Officer. He told me about Sensei and brought in an article about another Police Officer who was also seeing Sensei. He told me the history of Shorinji Kempo and it was something I was definitely interested in. It is a great honor to be taught my Kuromoto Sensei.

----How long have you been doing shorinji?

Michael One year. I started in July of 2003

----At what circumstance do you teach the police to pull out their guns?

Michael Unfortunately this is another field I do not teach and not my expertise.

----What is your personal training like now?

Michael I try and see Kuromoto Sensei twice a week. I also run and workout when I can.

----What is the most important thing that you teach about using guns?

Michael In the unfortunate event you have to use your firearm you have to be able to hit what your aiming at. My job is to teach how to do that.

----Base on your experience, do you feel that guns are doing harm (e.g., used in crimes, etc.) more often than they protect people?

Michael This is a touchy subject, but my opinion on this subject is that no matter what laws we have against firearms the bad guys will always have them. The laws in California in my opinion take the guns away from the innocent people who have the right to protect themselves in the first place. If you look at other states whose guns laws are not as strict there crime rates are actually down. Since more innocent people are allowed to carry firearms it makes the bad guys more apprehensive to commit crimes.

----Where do you want to be a year from now?

Michael I hope to have earned my Black Belt, I have a long way to go though.

----What is your goal of life?

Michael As far as my job goes I would like to promote again in the next few years. As I became more familiar with Shorinji Kempo I wouild like to introduce it to more Police Officers to help keep them more safe while patrolling our streets in which we all live.

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