Hong Kong sergeant under investigation for accidentally firing shot from service revolver in police station
- Officer banned from carrying firearms and assigned indoor work until the investigation is completed, according to force
- Veteran was alone at the firearm loading bay on the ground floor of Happy Valley station, source says
A veteran policeman faces a disciplinary investigation and has been banned from carrying a gun after he accidentally fired a shot from his service revolver in a police station in Hong Kong on Monday.
The incident happened at about 9.10am soon after the sergeant, attached to the enforcement and control division of Hong Kong Island traffic unit, collected the firearm and ammunition at Happy Valley Police Station.
The officer was alone at the firearm loading bay on the ground floor of the station on Sing Woo Road at the time, according to a source.
“A preliminary investigation showed he accidentally pressed the trigger and fired one shot after he pulled his gun out of the holster to check,” the source said. “The bullet hit a rubber-coated wall. The officer was unhurt.”
He said officers would check security camera footage as part of the investigation.
He said it was possible the sergeant forgot he had loaded the gun earlier and he failed to check the revolver’s cylinder before he pulled the trigger.
Noting police were carrying out a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident, he said: “The force will look into whether the officer involved was negligent and if he followed proper guidelines for the use of firearms.