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Gunshot drama at police gym

Seb Ramsay
2/12/2005

A SENIOR police officer fired a gun by accident in a gym changing room.

The weapon went off as it was being reloaded in a locker room in Collyhurst Police Station on Rochdale Road.

The bullet went through a mirror and ended up embedded in a wall.

It is understood that other people were using the changing room at the time, but Greater Manchester Police claim that no one was near enough to be harmed. The police officer, an inspector who is a firearms expert, is understood to have moved to a quiet area of the locker room and was trying to reload the gun after having disarmed it earlier.

An investigation has been launched and the officer has had his firearms authority revoked.

GMP have confirmed that it is their policy for officers to disarm guns while in their buildings and re-arm them when they leave.

Protocols

The force's internal affairs department is investigating exactly how the officer, a member of the Tactical Firearms Unit, managed to fire the gun and what, if any, protocols were broken.

A spokesman for GMP said: "In the early hours of Monday a GMP authorised firearms officer unintentionally discharged a firearm inside a police building in the north Manchester area.

"No members of the public or any other people were placed in any danger and there were no injuries. However, the force has launched a full and urgent investigation into the circumstances of this incident."


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(18)


Most recent 2 of 18 user comments

   ""and what it's like being in a real pressure job, where one day you are facing the end of a loaded gun and the next your facing a potential murder charge."" I didnt realise that you could be had up for murder for shhoting a mirror! Your right the glock17 doesnt have a mechanical safety, it has a much safer system. Seeing as this guy "accidently" loaded a magazine. "accidently" chambered a round, then "accidently" pulled the trigger (after dis-engaging the safety), he is still an idiot. If this was a civiillian or a member of the forces, he would be charged by now! And for your info EEZ, there is a world of difference between an AD and a ND. "Accidental" and "Negligent" mean a whole lot. Especially in court!
realist, also under the table
2/01/2006 at 21:27

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   Nd's / Ad's they all mean the same, an error made! Be it human or mechanical. Those who make stupid comments in relation to this officers ability, i am sure have made a number of human errors before themselves. A gun is just a mechanical device, just like a car. And let me tell you, a car is more a deadly weapon than any gun. Those who have a realistic knowledge of firearms ( not just, i shot a gun once now i'm an expert ) would know that not all handguns have manual safety catches. such as the glock 17 used by police the world over including the uk. Before you ridicule an experienced firearms officer. Purhaps you should find out what it takes to become an AFO and what it's like being in a real pressure job, where one day you are facing the end of a loaded gun and the next your facing a potential murder charge. everyone makes mistakes. even you !
EEZ springs, SOUTH WEST
12/12/2005 at 23:22

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