BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) reminded its personnel to be cautious when handling their service firearms.
The reminder came after a 12-year-old boy accidentally shoting himself using his police father’s service firearm in school last week.
The boy died.
NOCPPO spokesperson Police Captain Judesses Catalogo said new police officers are taught how to use maintain, and be proficient with firearms as part of their basic training.
When cleaning and conducting routine maintenance, Catalogo said, cops should always make sure their gun’s chamber is empty at all times.
He added that the gun’s magazine should also be removed, as should the chamber when not in use.
As for police officers who have young children at home, Catalogo said they should properly hide their guns, preferably in a safety box. The safety box must be placed where it cannot be easily seen or reached by children.
He also reminded police personnel to teach their children about the dangers of using firearms.
When asked if the service firearms they are using have a built-in safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharges, Catalogo said the service firearms they are using – mainly the 9mm Glock 17 – do not have a trigger safety mechanism.
However, he said it was built in such a way that it would not fire even if it was bumped or if it accidentally fell off from the cop’s holster./PN
