A training mishap in California resulted in injuries to sixteen elite police officers. Three people were injured and others were impacted by an explosion that happened while a SWAT team and the local bomb squad were practicing.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) held their yearly drill with the bomb squad at the Jerry Crowe Regional Training Center in Irvine, California, on March 13. The FBI-owned facility is perfect for realistic training since it is situated on the site of the old Marine Corps Air Station El Toro and has abandoned structures. Regularly utilized by the FBI and local law enforcement organizations for weapons certification and training.
A tiny structure utilized for the exercise had an explosion at around one in the afternoon. Though none of the wounds were life-threatening, three SWAT personnel sustained injuries. Two officers sustained wounds that did not require surgery, while one officer required surgery for a leg wound. All three were transferred to the hospital after receiving first treatment from other cops who were also trained as medics on the spot. As a precaution, thirteen other people with mild explosion symptoms, such as ringing in the ears and dizziness, were also sent to a nearby hospital. The majority were freed right away.
Sgt. Frank Gonzales, an OCSD spokesperson, informed reporters that the FBI and OCSD are now working together to investigate the event. Despite not being a part of the training exercise, the Bureau will be interested in learning more about what went wrong since it will be able to better regulate safety in future exercises at the location. The explosion occurred on its land.
Together, SWAT teams and bomb squads periodically conduct combined training so that they can rehearse the necessary maneuvers in case they have to collaborate. SWAT officers would offer security as bomb specialists worked to secure a terrorist device. Live explosives are not often used in these drills, though, as things can go horribly wrong.
