By Police1 Staff
LOS ANGELES — A newly released report states the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s recent transition to a new firearm model for its deputies has coincided with a drastic increase of accidental discharges, CNN reported.
The new Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm firearms used by the deputies have “substantial risk,” Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman said in the report.
“There is a continued risk that either LASD employees or civilians may be seriously wounded or killed by an unintended discharge,” Huntsman wrote.
Several deputies have been wounded in unintended discharges but no reports of suspects or bystanders suffering injuries have been recorded. In 2014, there were nineteen incidents, over a 500 percent increase from 2012.
“We conclude that the current training program is insufficient to overcome old habits learned on other handguns,” the 52-page report states. “As a result, many deputies appear to be to undertrained for the weapon they are using.”
The department switched to the new handgun due to its ease of use, handling and accurate shooting, particularly for small hands. The firearm has a smaller grip and requires less pressure to pull the trigger than the Beretta 9mm the department used until 2013.
Despite the new firearm’s higher sensitivity, it lacks an external safety. The report stated a light mounted to the gun and activated by deputies squeezing a pressure switch on the handle has been causing problems as well.
Assistant Sheriff Todd Rogers told CNN the department is aware of the increase in incidents and is currently taking steps to rectify the situation.