WEST HARTFORD -- The team leader of West Hartford's Emergency Services Unit offered his insights on the tragic shootings that killed 14 people in San Bernardino, California last week.
Lt. Jeremy Clark, a veteran of West Hartford Police force and one of the organizers of the annual Connecticut SWAT Challenge in Simsbury, noted that his fellow operators in California performed admirably under the chaos created by a radicalized couple intent on killing innocent people.
"I think they did a fantastic job considering the nature of being exposed to something that hadn't happened to this magnitude in the U.S. as suddenly and dynamically as that."
Clark further noted that collaboration and communication between police agencies and the public is key. "I think, right now, the best thing we can do is keep training, keep getting the equipment that is going to help us stay a step ahead, that is the only way we will be able to deal with these threats."
The Connecticut SWAT Challenge occurs each August. This past year, 30 teams from all over North America came to Connecticut to compete, take tactical classes and exchange ideas.
Clark thinks that, in light of the recent attacks in California and in Paris, more teams will sign up to participate future years for the three days of various training and events.
Clark added, "These are the people, the boots on the ground, that are trying to do their best and trying to protect people."
