MDA likes to claim that only cops and the military can be trusted with guns, well, apparently that ‘s not the case.
Melbourne police have located a semi-automatic Colt M16 rifle that had been missing since January in a patrol officer’s home.
The gun was returned to the department on Wednesday.
“At this point we’re not naming the officer, only because of the ongoing investigation,” said Sgt. Sheridan Shelley.
The rifle had been given to the officer in the past, but due to an oversight in inventory procedures, it wasn’t found during an audit. Police are investigating how the gun went missing and how to improve their system.
The weapon is one of 65 rifles that came to Melbourne through the federal Law Enforcement Support Office, which helps distribute military surplus items to law enforcement agencies nationwide.
In January, police staff were counting the rifles to file a report with the state, which oversees inventory procedures for the federal program. At first, two rifles were unaccounted for, but one was later found after supervisors conducted searches of all officers’ patrol cars and lockers.
Officers are tested each year on each weapon they’re issued by the department. Shelley didn’t have details on whether the officer who had the missing gun qualified. Any discipline that might come for the officer would depend on what the department finds. They haven’t opened an internal affairs investigation, but there is an open “supervisor inquiry,” according to Shelley.
“Right now our main focus is our inventory control system. Obviously we would not want a repeat of what happened here so we have to seriously look at what we’re doing now and what we can do to better our system.”
Shelley said there may be several factors that caused the gun to go missing, and responsibility may not rest solely with the officer.
“There doesn’t seem to be any ill intent. There doesn’t seem to be evidence of any crime.”
Source: http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2014/06/12/melbourne-police-locate-missing-assault-rifle/10378705/
