Force faces fine after officer chops off top of trigger finger

West Midlands Police face a heavy fine after one of its firearms officers chopped off the end of his trigger finger.

Birmingham Crown Court heard that the force had provided “utterly inadequate training” to the officer who was using industrial machinery to destroy a seized sub-machine gun.

The specially trained firearms officer, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was working with the counter terrorism unit when the accident happened.

The court heard that he suffered a “career threatening injury” and had resigned after the incident in July last year, but had since rejoined the force.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) brought the action against the force which admitted failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of an employee.

The court was told that a risk assessment had not been carried out since the “inherently dangerous” machinery was first introduced in 2008.

The officer’s trigger finger had been severed between the tip and the first knuckle, the court heard.

The finger tip was retrieved by colleagues and put in a fridge, but surgeons could not reattach it. He later received surgery for the injury, which included skin grafts from under his arm.

The court was told that the officers had received a rudimentary five-minute explanation on how to use the machine, from the armourer.

In addition, the court heard that the officer was not given any tongs or long handled pliers that were provided with the machine.

The force also admitted that an instruction manual for the hydraulic shear machine had been lost and was later found in the drawer of an office.

West Midlands Police say the officer was due to return to operational duties next week and will be on the first counter terrorism course arranged for the summer.

They also warned that a large fine would have a detrimental impact on the force.

West Midlands Police added that it no longer uses the machine and now escorts weapons like knives, swords, knuckle dusters and guns under armed guard to a foundry where they are destroyed.

His Honour Judge Richard Bond will deliver his written judgement next week.