Report: Cop mistook his gun for Taser

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.