City Announces Discipline In O'Connell Case - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

**Press Release From City Of Spokane**

SPOKANE, Wash. - Spokane Police Department Officer Barry O'Connell will serve a three-week suspension, as a result of an incident in April.  In that incident, O'Connell's young daughter shot herself with his service weapon at his home.

Interim Police Chief Scott Stephens concluded that O'Connell failed to comply with an SPD policy requiring officers to secure their duty weapons at home and civil service rules that specify officers can't be willfully careless or negligent with City property or engage in actions that might reasonably be expected to result in loss or injury to the City, the public, or prisoners or wards of the City.   

O'Connell also will be required to participate in an educational video about gun safety. Additionally, the discipline action also stipulates that an additional incident involving poor judgment will lead to termination.