FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, April 6, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

SEMLEC Provides Update on SWAT Officer Injured During Training Exercise Wednesday

Injured Officer Released From Hospital

On the left, the 37mm projectile launcher that was destroyed when it was fired during a Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council SWAT training exercise on Wednesday, April 4, in Bridgewater. The incident severely injured the hand of a Middleborough Police Officer. On the right is an undamaged 37mm launcher. (Photo courtesy Bridgewater Police)

The 37mm projectile launcher that was destroyed when it was fired during a Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council SWAT training exercise on Wednesday, April 4, in Bridgewater. The incident severely injured the hand of a Middleborough Police Officer. (Photo courtesy Bridgewater Police)

Note for media members: Today at 3:45 p.m. at the Bridgewater Police Department, 220 Pleasant St., SEMLEC President and Bridgewater Police Chief Christopher Delmonte and SEMLEC SWAT Assistant Control Chief and Carver Police Chief Marc Duphily will be available to speak to the media.

BRIDGEWATER – The Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, Bridgewater Police Chief Christopher Delmonte and Middleborough Police Chief Joseph Perkins would like to provide an update on the Middleborough Police Officer that was injured during a training exercise on Wednesday, and the subsequent investigation.

A preliminary investigation indicates that on Wednesday, April 4, the officer was using a 37mm projectile launcher loaded with training rounds to aid in a SWAT training exercise in Bridgewater, when the device exploded in his hands.

The device was a Model 201-Z Federal 1.5 Caliber Gas Gun (using 37mm rounds).

The ensuing investigation by Bridgewater Police indicates that the device malfunctioned in the officers hands while he was training to do his job in the normal performance of his duties.The device broke into several pieces and a portion of the barrel was split in half.

The officer, whose name is not being released publicly, was released from the hospital on Thursday and is back home and in good spirits. He underwent successful surgery on one of his hands and will now begin a rehabilitation and recovery process.

“I am very glad to see that our officer is back home with his family and I would like to thank the staff at Mass. General for the great care that they provided and their hospitality for the many officers and family members that went to visit him,” Chief Perkins said. “I would like to commend our officer for his high spirits and professionalism during this unfortunate ordeal. We wish him a speedy recovery and everyone in Middleborough and the 30 communities that SEMLEC represents sends their well wishes and positive thoughts.”

The injuries sustained to his left hand include severe lacerations and the permanent partial amputation of one of his finger tips.

The investigation into the incident is still ongoing by the Bridgewater Police Department. The use of the projectile launcher and training rounds used will be suspended by SEMLEC while the investigation remains open.

Other local law enforcement councils and SWAT units will be notified of the situation to help prevent any similar incidents from occurring.

Investigators will be contacting the manufacturer of the projectile launcher and training rounds to determine what went wrong.

“All factors will be looked at, including the age of the device, the training round that was used and whether there were any defects in the products. At this point, all indications are that it was not the officer’s error but a defective device that malfunctioned in his hands,” Chief Delmonte said. “This is life-saving training and while this incident was not typical, these officers are trained for dangerous situations and the training can sometimes pose inherent risks. These elite SEMLEC officers are part of one of the most highly-trained units in the region, with the singular mission of saving lives during a critical incident. This officer was training to do his job when he was injured in the performance of his duties.”

At approximately 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Bridgewater Police and Fire received a 911 call from a member of SEMLEC SWAT requesting an ambulance for an officer who sustained a hand injury during a training program on the exterior grounds of MCI Bridgewater.

Upon arrival, rescuers found the officer with a serious wound to one of his hands. The officer was treated at the scene and transported by a Bridgewater Fire Department ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.

While not carried by officers in the normal course of their duties, the 37mm launcher is used for a variety of SWAT operations including smoke screens, high visibility flares, decoy noisemaker rounds, “Flash Bang” style stun projectiles, and training rounds that emit smoke and/or noise.

At this time, it is not clear when or if the officer would be able to return to his duties.

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South Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council

SWAT Team

Under the Local Control of the:

Wareham Police Department

Police Chief Kevin D. Walsh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Wareham Police Respond After Man Barricades Himself Inside Motel Room

WAREHAM – Chief Kevin D. Walsh reports that the Wareham Police Department, and members of the South Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) SWAT Team, have placed a man in custody after he allegedly barricaded himself inside of a motel room.

At approximately 7 a.m., Wareham Police were called to the Silver Lake Motel, 3026 Cranberry Highway, East Wareham. A 36-year-old Raynham man allegedly made threats to harm himself and said he had a weapon. The SEMLEC SWAT Team was mobilized and responded to the scene.

Those staying in surrounding motel rooms were evacuated.

After efforts to deescalate the situation, at approximately 9:30 a.m., the SEMLEC officers made forced entry to the motel room and placed the man in custody. The man suffered minor injuries when he was subdued by a K-9.

He was taken to Tobey Hospital to be evaluated. The matter remains under investigation and no charges have been filed at this time. Because he has not been charged with a crime, his name will not be released.

No weapons were found in the room and he was the only person inside during the incident. The initial stages of the investigation indicate that there was no immediate threat to the public.

Massachusetts State Police also assisted at the scene.

“I’m proud of the job done by our Wareham officers, SEMLEC and the State Police today,” Chief Walsh said. “Thankfully they were able to resolve this situation peacefully and safely.”

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