Police Scotland has been found to have been “negligent” when a gun was fired by accident during a training exercise at a power station.
No-one was hurt when the weapon, which was loaded with paint rounds, was discharged last December at Longannet Power Station in Fife.
But Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) Kate Frame concluded the incident was “negligent and preventable”.
A Pirc report said the police officer had “accidentally discharged” his weapon at about 10am on December 14 as he tried to unravel the sling holding the firearm, which had become twisted.
The lesson plan for the training exercise had said officers would not be issued with paint rounds until later in the day, when they had become more familiar with the firearms.
However the Pirc report said that “in an effort to save time, firearms instructors decided to issue officers with them in the morning”.
The commissioner said: “Had the guidance outlined in the lesson plan been adhered to, the firearm discharge was easily preventable.
“However, as Police Scotland has already taken the necessary steps to avoid similar incidents in future, I have no further recommendations following this investigation.”
Chief Superintendent Elaine Ferguson, head of operational support at Police Scotland, said both Pirc and the force had “both identified that the lesson plan had not been followed and that the discharge was easily preventable”.
She added: “The correct processes have been reiterated to all staff.
“There was no danger to the public or staff at any time and this occurred during a training session.”