Expert: Philip Sweeting - 11/12/2005

Question
Hello. What happens in the USA if a police officer fires his or her gun in the course of their duty but no-one is killed or injured ? Do they have to write out a report then carry on the next day as normal ? Or have I been watching too many fictional American cop shows !
Over here in the UK if a police officer fires a shot, even accidentally, it's headline news and the officer is taken off active duty until an investigation has been held.
Thanks
Mark

Answer
It is not like the cop shows on TV.

When a police officer fires his gun even accidentally, there is some type of investigation, and there are lots of reports written. If the media/news hears about it, they will write about it.

In most cases if an officer shoots someone they will be placed on leave until the investigation is complete. If it is an accidental shooting, they may or may not be placed on leave. That decision is left up to their police departments.