Officer who shot himself in foot resigns as firearms instructor
July 14, 2008 by Fred HosierPosted in: Here comes the judge, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views
A police chief in Utah has voluntarily turned in his teaching credentials after shooting himself in the ankle while instructing a concealed weapon-permit course.
Riverdale Police Chief Dave Hansen surrendered his credentials before the Bureau of Criminal Identification weapons review board. The board was set to take up the issue of his competency as an instructor.
Hansen has been a police officer for 20 years and chief of the department for two. He taught concealed-firearms courses for five years.
The ordeal may not be over for Hansen. State Representative Curtis Oda, who is also a firearms instructor, has called for some sort of disciplinary action against Hansen. Oda said Hansen violated several safety rules by firing a loaded gun inside a classroom.
Hansen has had two surgeries to repair damage to his leg.
Is turning in his credentials enough? Should he face further punishment? Let us know what you think.
July 18th, 2008 at 10:59 am
His turning in his credentials should be enough. If he has been a officer for 20 years and this is the first incident. They should be thankful that he was the only one hurt and move on. Why do we have to make such a big deal out of everything? Let him fix his wounds and get back to work.
July 18th, 2008 at 11:15 am
There must be consequences for failing to follow procedures. Turning in his credentials only supports the case further of his admission for failing to adhere to policies set forth, as well as security measures. Disciplinary action should be taken without a doubt.
July 18th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Everyone makes mistakes and this will ruin his reputaion for life. 20 years of hard work and one mistake. I think they should leave the poor guy alone, you are your own worst critic and I bet this guy beats himself up about it all the time.
July 18th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Of course everyone makes mistakes, but there is a consequence to everything, whether it’s good or bad. Thankfully noone got killed, but did it have to get to that for action to be taken????
July 18th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Before people start jumping on the “disciplinary” train, I believe all aspects of the case need to be reviewed before just quickly coming to the assumption further “disciplinary” action needs to be taken. This man served on a Police force for 20 years and questions need to be answered as to whether or not other disciplinary actions had taken place during his two decades of service and to what degree. I can’t imagine anybody with 20 years of service would have something too detrimental in his employment file; otherwise, he shouldn’t have reached his 20 years of service. With that said, this man has laid is own life on the line for 20 years to protect all people, even the ones that judge him, so let’s give the man a small break and show some compassion.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:19 am
Turning in his credentials is punishment enough. No one else got hurt. Perhaps he was distracted or was not well. We are all prone to accidents under these circumstances. After 20 years of service, this accident should not mar his record.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:20 am
While I agree that he should not have fired his gun in class, he was working as an instructor at a concealed weapons course…let’s not forget that. But I think that all of the bills he is going to have to paid for the surgery on his leg/foot and turning in his credentials should be puishment enough.