Christopher Smelser is a deputy sheriff with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the nation’s largest department, encompassing thousands of law officers, 4,000 square miles of jurisdiction and the direct protection of more than four million individuals.

 

Today, Smelser brought his expertise to Harrison County, working directly with Special Response and Special Weapons and Tactics teams associated with Bridgeport and Clarksburg police departments, as well as the Harrison County Sheriff’s office.

 

Held in rural Quiet Dell on property owned by Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang, the training focused on high-risk warrant service, downed officer recovery, barricaded officer recovery and other facets of special operations forces. There were hostages, live shooters, planted officers with guns drawn and it was all being monitored by high-tech equipment. Throughout and after each operation, Smelser and his team provided feedback, tweaking and critiquing each and every move, response time and position. 

 

“We bring what we have learned through the years out in LA – proven tactics that have worked for us – and come here and share information, seeing if they can take some of those ideas that will work for them.”

 

There is no warning for real-life scenarios, Smelser said. That’s why it’s vitally important to run through potential situations and be critiqued by those who have had vast experience. Every little detail matters, from the placement of officers and equipment provides more control over the situation, as well as safety for all involved – even the suspect himself.

 

Combining three departments and their resources is huge, tripling working ability, Smelser said.

 

“You don’t get to pick and choose when a scenario brings you together so you have to take time to train together,” he said. “Knowing first names is huge and sharing equipment – like an armored vehicle – is huge.”

 

Developing skill sets and keeping those skills sharp can mean the difference between life or death.

 

“You can’t always put yourself in these scenarios, but you can visualize them, then break them down over and over in your head,” Smelser said.

 

Thursday’s training was part of a week-long training; 40 hours of in-service training as required by the National Tactical Officers Association.

 

Bridgeport Police Chief John Walker said area departments are very fortunate to have worked with Smelser and his team. About two dozen officers took part in Thursday’s activities.

 

Clarksburg Police Chief Robert Hilliard said it’s the second year the law enforcement agencies have combined for the training.

 

“It’s a good collaborative effort,” he said. “Everybody in this area works fine together and no one agency has all the resources. That’s why working together is a win-win; a good opportunity for everyone.”

Each agency contributed about $5,000 toward the training. Bringing it on-site with officers having no lodging or other expense made it even a better training venue, Hilliard.

 

In summary, the experience was priceless, he said.

 

Sheriff Robert Matheny agreed.

 

“According to training feedback we are getting from squad operators, it’s phenomenal and these guys and gals are really learning a lot this week,” he said.

 

Smelser operates on a full-time SWAT team in LA County and while off-duty, operates a private company which provides training to other units.

 

Though scenarios that are common in LA are not as common in North Central West Virginia, they do happen, such as a recent incident in West Milford for which area agencies did combine manpower and resources.