"just to pat each other on the back"
I have already addressed this. They needed to give kudos to those who assisted them. (The Thailand police, the Georgia police, etc.) That is NOT, NOT, NOT patting each other on the back, but giving credit to where it is due.
Excuse me. I didn't know you were THE authority on why LE authorities hold press conferences to thank each other.
They needed to give kudos to those who assisted them.
IF -- repeat, if -- they need to do so, it can be done privately or through a press release. They don't need to grandstand in front of mics.