Ten accidental police firearm shootings in past two years

In six of these cases, the responsible officers lost their authorisation to carry a firearm pending re-training. 

Ten cases involving the accidental shooting of firearms by police officers were reported in 2013 and 2014, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela revealed.

He was speaking in response to a parliamentary question by shadow home affairs minister Beppe Fenech Adami.

Six of these incidents occurred at the Rapid Intervention Unit Quarters, one at the airport’s police station, one in Ghaxaq, one in Burmarrad, and one in Birzebbuga.

“In six of these cases, the responsible officers lost their authorization to carry a firearm pending re-training and the issuance of a new certificate,” Abela said. “In one of the cases, the officer was handed an official warning, while no action was taken against the officers in the three other cases.”