Three officers served with gross misconduct notices after gun incident at Notts Police HQ

Three police officers have been served with gross misconduct notices after a seven-year-old Bassetlaw girl was injured when a gun was fired at Notts Police HQ last year.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is continuing to investigate the discharge of the police gun at a public event for children and parents on 30th October 2014.

The three officers - two PC firearms officers and a sergeant who is a dog handler - will be interview by the IPCC. The notices have been served to inform them that their conduct is under investigation.

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The family of the young girl, who is believed to be from Bassetlaw, have been informed and CCTV footage has been obtained from Notts Police.

IPCC Commissioner Derrick Campbell, who is overseeing the investigation, said: “I am extremely concerned about the discharge of a police gun at an event attended by members of the public.

“The public must have confidence that police officers who carry guns do so with highest standards of care and professionalism – and that the policies and procedures that govern their work are rigorously adhered to at all times.”

The IPCC investigation will explore why live firearms were present and used as part of a demonstration at the event.

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It will also look into whether the use of live firearms at a public demonstration was authorised, and if so by whom, what protocols the force has to ensure public safety in relation to the use of firearms and whether force and national policies and protocols were breached by the presence of live firearms at the demonstration.

The investigation will also consider whether firearms officers placed members of the public and other officers at risk in their handing of the firearms that they had responsibility for, how Notts Police responded following the discharge of the firearm, whether an attempt was made to cover-up the incident and any previous firearms incidents at Notts Police within the past six months where negligence may have been reported.

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