The mayor of East Haven said he is putting a team together to help the town’s police officers who were injured in a standoff and explosion in North Haven Wednesday night.
The officers were among 10 members of a team that were injured while responding after a domestic violence situation on Quinnipiac Avenue in North Haven Wednesday turned into an incident of a barricaded person, according to information police provided.
The South Central Regional SWAT team was clearing the outside of the home when there was an explosion. Nine of the 10 team members who were injured were brought to the hospital, including five East Haven officers, three North Haven officers and one officer from Branford. Police said their injuries were from the explosion and they were held overnight for observation.
East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. said that a long-term "Employee Response Team" will provide long-term support to the East Haven police officers who were injured in that explosion and hospitalized.
"The incident Wednesday is tragic for all involved, especially the officers who were injured in the wake of the blast. Given the unique nature of the incident, I am assembling a team of relevant local Town officials to provide long-term follow-up, assistance, advice, and guidance to the East Haven officers who were injured. We want our officers to know we're with them for the long haul as they recover physically, emotionally, and psychologically from this tragedy." Maturo said in a statement.
Maturo’s office said the injured officer are in good spirits, but have concerns.
“Right now, our officers are receiving all of the medical attention they deserve. However, after both that attention and the media attention fades, we know our officers are going to need emotional support and career guidance in addition to other resources. These are life changing circumstances and they require a comprehensive, compassionate response." Maturo said.
