Police officer criticised for ‘negligent’ rifle shot that injured colleague at Barry Buddon range

The accidental discharge of a rifle which left a police officer injured was “negligent and preventable”, according to an independent probe.

Shortly before 11am on Monday, April 28, a Police Scotland officer discharged an Accuracy International 7.62 rifle during a training exercise at Barry Buddon Military Ranges near Carnoustie.

The bullet struck a brick wall and debris caused slight injury to another police officer.

Police Scotland referred the matter to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) and the findings have now been published.

The Commissioner said that Police Scotland firearms practice and procedures in respect of firearms safety were stringent and had they been rigorously adhered to then this incident would not have occurred.

Professor John McNeill said: “The only way that the incident as described could be duplicated was by pulling and holding the trigger to the rear and at the same time disengaging the safety catch. It follows therefore that the discharge was negligent and preventable.”