Accidental Discharge with no Injuries

Los Angeles: A Los Angeles police officer accidentally discharged a police shotgun in the station parking lot.

On March 25, 2025 at about 6:35 AM, Officer Ginger Harrison assigned to Devonshire Area, was conducting a safety check of the police shotgun when a round was accidentally discharged.

Officer Harrison was outdoors in the station's open parking lot when it occurred.

No one was injured as a result of the accidental discharge. 

Officer Harrison, 33, has been with the Department for 12 years and 2 months.

Devonshire Area is handling the investigation.

Questions may be directed to Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.   

Comments

[b&w; op]

As long as the LAPD's firearms qualification policies continue to be lowered to the lowest common denominator (nothing to do with gender) instead of raising officers to a higher standard, we'll continue to have lower hit ratios and negligent discharges of firearms.

If Chief Bratton and Department brass cared about officer safety, like they say they do in public, they would have acted on many suggestions about training and enhanced firearms deployment by now. Instead, it's just more empty rhetoric.

[Grade F]

The public perception, thanks to movies and TV, is that the police are generally good shots and expert handlers of firearms. The reality is much more disappointing. For most officers, there is minimal practical shooting training after academy graduation unless the officer takes the initiative to seek it on his own, off the clock, paying for the training and ammo with his own dime. Shooting (both marksmanship and safe handling) is often described as a perishable skill, so it's not a surprise when I see, for example, how many officers have trouble smoothly clearing a malfunction if one comes up during qualification.

Regarding this negligent discharge, mistakes do happen. At least the press release doesn't mention injuries or damage, suggesting Safety Rule #2 was followed: "Never allow the muzzle to cover anything you are not willing to shoot."

[LOVES LA LEOs]

I'm glad you're alright, Officer Harrison.

[Grade F]

One other thought to continue on b&w op's very valid comment: Combat pistol qualification four times a year (in the LAPD) DOES NOT constitute sufficient training. That's 30 rounds each time for a total of 120 handgun rounds fired per year. It is simply liability protection for the Department so they can say they've verified a particular officer was able to draw and fire his weapon in the general direction of a target without destroying the surrounding landscaping or fauna.

It's even scarier when you realize captains and above and those with 20 or more years of experience have to qualify LESS than four times a year.

Combat qual is everything a gunfight is not. The pacing is relaxed, the shooter is stationary, the target is stationary, and there is no pressure placed on the shooter whatsoever. And STILL there are sworn officers who have difficulty with it?

I haven't heard of any poll of officers in the LAPD or law enforcement in general to determine the quantity and quality of self-motivated training officers seek on the side. I would estimate from anecdotal evidence alone that about 50% practice on their own. Hell, even officers in elite divisions like Metro--who by the way are allotted time and ammo for high-speed training by the Dept--shoot on their own time and on their own dime. I suspect it's because they're aware of just how difficult it is to maintain proficiency at a high level.

[policegirl]

We also "qualify" twice a year with the shotgun. Point and shoot five rounds at a target that is already shot to pieces. Don't worry if you aren't trained on the Remington, just watch someone who looks like they know what they are doing.

More frightening to me is the physical fitness (or lack of) standards. You are far more likely to get into a foot pursuit or physical altercation than a shooting. Yet, the Department does not enforce a fitness standard or offer a fitness incentive. You can qualify on duty, shoot bonus on duty, get paid extra for marksmanship, but unless you work Metro, working out on duty is not allowed.

p.s. Ginger, I'm glad you are okay. Everyone makes mistakes.

[Ed O'Shea]

How pathetic is it that as I read this blog and listen to the podcast of the North Hollywood shoot out, linked from this blog, we STILL DO NOT HAVE AR-15's in EVERY Patrol CAR!!!! What kind of SLAPS do we have in charge of those decisions??? Get your thumbs out of your rear ends and GET THE RIFLES in the hands of the Officers! Loose the bean counters and replace them with Commanders with intestinal fortitude. What's else is it going to take? I guess Bratton was not the primary factor in NYC. Because when he left the Officers were given the trust and the weaponry to propperly protect the people of NYC.
Stay Safe Warriors,

Ed O'Shea

[gonzo1510]

"One other thought to continue on b&w op's very valid comment: Combat pistol qualification four times a year (in the LAPD) DOES NOT constitute sufficient training. That's 30 rounds each time for a total of 120 handgun rounds fired per year. It is simply liability protection for the Department so they can say they've verified a particular officer was able to draw and fire his weapon in the general direction of a target without destroying the surrounding landscaping or fauna.

It's even scarier when you realize captains and above and those with 20 or more years of experience have to qualify LESS than four times a year."

You mean to tell me that as an armored car guard,I get more rounds and range time per qual than an LAPD officer does ? and that the standards are only getting lower ?

Not cool ....

[Happy Cop]

Ed O'Shea,

I don't know where you got your info from but NYPD cops can only carry a 9MM, not even a 40 cal much less the 45. Also, no one carries a shotgun-only ESU (their version of SWAT). The Sgts have the TASERS, but the cops do not. As for rifles, forget it! Once again, only their ESU guys. Sorry Rusty....just the facts.

[Alex Cruz]

I am a 19 year vet,the last almost 16 years withs Vegas Metropolitan Police. I am a firearms instructor and am looking for new ways to setup qualifications. We qual every quarter and I am looking for new stuff. If there are other instructors out there please E-mail. stay safe and thanks