Original S.W.A.T. Footwear Co. has canceled the planned Original S.W.A.T. Tactical World Cup and initiated a lawsuit against partner Operator's Edge, who could not deliver the event, according to the company.

"Rather than deliver an inferior product and disappoint the tactical community, Original S.W.A.T. has decided to remove itself entirely from this situation and cancel the event," said Terry Mackness, founder and chief executive of Original Footwear Co. "We are saddened and disappointed that Operator's Edge has conducted itself in such a poor manner, and we can no longer allow our company and brand to be associated with them."

POLICE Magazine has contacted Operator's Edge for a response. The company posted this announcement at the event website: "Operators Edge LLC regretfully announces the cancellation of the 2009 Tactical World Cup and wishes to express its sincerest gratitude to all of the teams, sponsors, and vendors who supported the TWC."

The inaugural competition was initially scheduled for October 2008 at Camp Bullis, in San Antonio, Texas, and was designed to be an elite tactical competition that would closely mirror real-life crisis situations, and would provide an excellent and realistic training ground.

The invitation-only event was supposed to have received extensive print and television coverage. Both parties entered an agreement in late 2007 to deliver the elite S.W.A.T. competition. However, Hurricane Ike forced postponement, and it was moved to 2009.

Earlier this year, the company realized that Operator's Edge would be unable to "produce, market and conduct a world-class tactical event," according to the company. Original S.W.A.T. then cancelled the event and decided to initiate legal proceedings against Operator's Edge.

"We have lost a significant amount of our marketing dollars in this endeavor and we realize what a huge mistake we made in partnering with Operator's Edge," Mackness added. "I am very sorry to have let down the teams that had committed to attend and also to the vendors who had willingly given their support and dollars."