Piffsfield Police Chief runs regional SWAT team

Print Story | Email Story
A regional swat team is available to more than half the towns in Berkshire County in the event of a high-risk incident, such as a hostage situation, according to Chief Anthony Riello of the Pittsfield Police Department. Riello was instrumental in bringing together many of the county's police departments to form the Berkshire County Regional Strategic Response Team in November 2000. A mutual aid agreement was established amongst the participating cities and towns. It specifies that the team will respond to incidents in those communities when needed, he said. A $300,000 grant was secured for the growth of the team on December 18, 2000. U.S. Rep. John W. Olver (D-1st District) was instrumental in obtaining the grant for the team, Riello said. The grant money, which is administered through Riello's office and is good for three years, is to be spent on equipment and training and to support the team, including the cost of call-outs for incidents and paying team members, Riello said. Two vehicles were purchased for the team with the grant money. One is a "very useful, versatile" armored swat truck called The Bear, which cost $175,000 and is garaged in Pittsfield, he said. The other, the team's first response vehicle, is a Ford Expedition with special equipment and a weapons locker. The team has been called out "half a dozen to a dozen times," Riello said. It is used in high-risk drug raids, he said. The team is comprised of 22 members, 14 of whom are Pittsfield officers. Seven county police departments have officers on the team, including North Adams, Williamstown, Sheffield, Lee and Great Barrington, Riello said. Pittsfield Police Capt. Cosmo Spezzaferro runs the team, Riello said. Second in command for the team is Lt. Bruce Hugabone. The team trains for four hours usually every other week, Riello said. Role play exercises are one part of their training. An example of a role play they practice is a situation where there is an active shooter or shooters in a school, he said. The team was modeled after a regional team in eastern Massachusetts, he said. Other situations that would involve the team include natural disasters, search-and-rescue operations, mob action, civil disturbances, unusual occurrences and any other situation threatening the peace of the jurisdiction, according to a press release from Olver's office. Prior to regional team forming, the Pittsfield Police Department had its own 14-member swat team, which was absorbed into the regional team and is that team's "nucleus," Riello said. The vehicle that the city purchased was manufactured by Lenco Industries Inc., which has been manufacturing armored vehicles in Pittsfield since 1981. The vehicle is an armored swat truck, a bullet-resistant special response vehicle used in especially hazardous or dangerous police situations, said Len Light, vice president of Lenco. Describing the truck as a "defensive piece of equipment," he said it has the dual purpose of transporting the police into the situation and rescuing those who need to be rescued, he said. In a hostage situation, the swat truck, which is resistant to high-powered assault rifles, would allow the police to get close to the scene, Light said. It is a user-friendly vehicle, which can fit 30 people in the back and has on board stretcher compartments, he said.
Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Weekend Outlook: Thunderfest Returns

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
There are several events this weekend to help you recharge from your week including fundraisers, live music, and more. 
 
Editor's Pick
 
ThunderFest 
Adams Visitor Center
Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.
 
The annual outdoor festival celebrating the historic Thunderbolt Trail and Race returns bringing live music, food from local vendors, local craft, retail, and recreational vendors, a campfire and marshmallows, local craft beer and wine, and more. 
 
Admission is free. More information here. 
 
Multiple Days
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories

A & E
image description

New Weekend Outlook: Thunderfest Returns

A & E
Sports
image description

Hoosac Valley Wins Back-To-Back State Crowns

Sports
Schools
image description

North Adams School Finance Panel Reviews Fiscal 2026 Spending...

Schools
Community News
image description

North County Welcomes New Veterans Agent

Community News
Community News
image description

4-Year-Old Child Dies in North Adams Duplex Fire

Community News
Community News
image description

North Adams Council Pauses Sullivan Sale for More Discussion

Community News
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?