Report: Cop mistook his gun for Taser

Published: Feb. 19, 2008 at 11:05 AM

VICTORIA, British Columbia, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Police in Victoria, British Columbia, confirmed one of their officers mistook his gun for a Taser during a 2005 scuffle in which a man was shot in the stomach.

On Sept. 10, 2005, Constable Mike Miller was attempting to subdue Daniel Hammond, 25, who was reportedly acting violently and hitting the windows of a restaurant, the Vancouver Sun reported Tuesday.

The department's internal investigation results released Monday said before Miller could handcuff Hammond, the pair wrestled to the ground. Miller said he reached for what he thought was his stun gun but grabbed his handgun instead.

Hammond was shot in the abdomen. He survived and is suing the police department, the report said.

Interim Police Chief Bill Naughton said the force has since replaced the model of Tasers used in 2005 with ones that don't feel the same as the Glock handguns officers use.

Miller resigned from the force last month, the report said.

Monday, British Columbia Attorney General Wally Oppal announced the provincial government's public inquiry into Tasers had begun, the Sun said.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
Scientists plea for gorilla protection (30 min)
Merck denies knowing risk of Vioxx (34 min)
Playboy hires out operations to cut costs (43 min)
UPI NewsTrack Business (49 min)
Insurance fund for bank deposits turns red (57 min)
Tsunami educational Web site developed
Most Nickelodeon food ads for junk food
fark
As it turns out, even vegans can't stand "Tofurkey"
Couple who stole home from Alzheimers Patient preparing for an experience they'll never forget
Report: 20 Michigan State football players in ski masks 'stormed' MSU dorm in bloody attack, injuring...
Police need to find this woman chop-chop
Several pictures of a squirrel with enormous balls. It's what Fark was made for
Britain opens official inquiry into Iraq war, appoints insider to run it. Expect hard-hitting answers...