Officer disciplined after accidental weapons discharge

A police officer has been disciplined after accidentally shooting himself in the foot during a search of a flat in Ballymena.

Police had gone to the address on 22 March 2009 in response to reports that the occupants had firearms.

One man was detained after answering the door, after which four officers went in to ensure that no one else was inside.

As the search was ongoing, one of the officers' guns accidentally discharged, firing a bullet through his boot and injuring a toe He was taken to hospital for treatment.

When later interviewed by Police Ombudsman investigators, the officer stated he was complying with his current PSNI firearms training, that prior to entering the flat he had disengaged the safety-catch on his rifle so that the weapon was ready for firing as he entered the property.

Once he had secured his designated area he provided cover whilst the other officers completed the search. He maintained, however, that his trigger finger had stayed outside the trigger guard at all times.

Officer suggested trigger might have been caught by clothing or equipment.

The officer suggested that a piece of clothing or equipment might have snagged the trigger, causing the weapon to fire.

He was subsequently disciplined by the PSNI following a disciplinary recommendation from the Police Ombudsman.

The Police Ombudsman also recommended that the PSNI should advise officers on similar future operations to continually assess the perceived risk to life arising from the operation, and to replace weapons safety catches once it is deemed safe to do so.

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