Cop hurt as weapon explodes in his hand

An officer injured in a SWAT training exercise Wednesday is home from the hospital after sustaining serious injuries to his left hand.

Authorities said the officer was using a 37 mm projectile launcher loaded with training rounds to aid in training in Bridgewater when the device exploded in his hands, according to a preliminary investigation.

The unidentified officer was treated at the scene and transported by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Authorities said he sustained severe lacerations and permanent partial amputation of a fingertip on his left hand. The Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council said it will suspend the use of the projectile launcher and training rounds while the investigation remains open.

The manufacturers of the Model 201-Z Federal 1.5 Caliber Gas Gun and training rounds are being contacted 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,” said SEMLEC SWAT and Bridgewater police Chief Christopher Delmonte. “At this point, all indications are that it was not the officer’s error but a defective device that malfunctioned in his hands.”

Middleboro police Chief Joseph Perkins said the officer had high spirits and professionalism during the incident.

It is not clear when and if the office will be able to return to his duties.

COURTESY BRIDGEWATER PD ‘DEFECTIVE’: An intact gas gun and the one that exploded in the hands of an officer are shown.