Training session where officer was wounded wasn't supposed to have live ammo

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - There should not have been loaded guns during a training exercise in which a Chicopee police officer was wounded , the city’s police chief says.

The officer was shot near his eye as the SWAT team was doing tactical operations training exercises Monday afternoon in a building off James Street.

Chicopee Police Chief Thomas Charette told the 22News I-Team that there were two training sessions held on Monday; one in the morning that involved life fire ammunition, one that did not. He said the police officer was shot and seriously wounded during the session that was not supposed to involve live fire.

Chief Charette would not say whose gun went off, because he said the matter remains under investigation. The Chief said they still have to interview the officers who were there at the time of the incident. He said it's too early to determine whether anyone will be disciplined because of what happened, and estimates it will be another few weeks before their investigation is complete.

The Chief told 22News that this incident is unfortunate, but these kinds of mistakes can happen.

“It was an accidental situation, it's a dangerous business that we're in, and we have to train hard and we have to train real to be able to respond to the threats that are out there,” Charette said.

The Chief said that out of respect for the family, they are not releasing the officer’s name, however Charette would say that he is a 20 year veteran on the force.

Mayor Michael Bissonnette told 22News the officer had facial surgery on Monday night , and is doing well.