- Law enforcement official found guilty of discharging a duty firearm
A 28-year-old law enforcement officer found themselves in hot water after the Augsburg Regional Court handed down a sentence for firing at a police vehicle during a water fight using their service weapon. The judge issued a suspended sentence of one year and eight months for causing bodily harm and property damage while on duty.
The bullet came close to hitting a fellow officer inside the bus and shattered a window. Four officers onboard experienced trauma due to the excessive noise.
The officer claimed they couldn't explain their actions, initially suggesting it might have been a reflex from numerous firing drills during their training. However, the court was unconvinced and sided with the prosecution's argument.
Risk of losing police badge
The defense argued for a suspended sentence shorter than one year, and they had a valid point. If the verdict stands, the young officer will have their police status revoked, preventing them from continuing their career in law enforcement.
If the sentence exceeds one year, automatic dismissal from the police force is mandated, as a court representative explained. If it's less than a year, there's still room for negotiation in administrative law and the possibility of maintaining their job, albeit theoretically.
The decision isn't final yet. The prosecution and defense have a week to file an appeal.
Despite their love for soccer, the officer's training drills unfortunately resulted in misunderstood actions during the incident. If the suspension period exceeds their favorite sport's World Cup length, their law enforcement career may come to an end.
