The trial of former Staff Sergeant Bartosz Turek, charged with causing an accident through negligence at a police station in Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, has begun at the District Court in Warsaw. The incident occurred in March 2023 while securing hunting weapons. The 'Grot' submachine gun was unloaded, but while handling a hunting rifle, an accidental discharge occurred. The bullet pierced the wall of a utility room and landed in an adjacent room where no one was present. The accused faces up to three years in prison.

Accidental discharge at police station

In March 2023, while securing hunting weapons at the police station in Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, an accidental shot was fired from a cartridge left in a rifle. The bullet pierced the wall of a utility room and landed in an adjacent room where no one was present. The incident occurred when former Staff Sgt. Bartosz Turek was handling the weapon.

Trial of former police officer

On Tuesday, the trial of Bartosz Turek, a former staff sergeant, began before the District Court in Warsaw. The prosecution has charged him with causing an accident through negligence. Turek pleaded not guilty. The indictment was served to him in February 2024, and the incident occurred in March 2023. He faces up to three years in prison.

Circumstances and course of the event

During an intervention concerning the confiscation of hunting weapons, officers secured a 'Grot' submachine gun and a Tikka brand hunting rifle. The 'Grot' was unloaded and safe. While handling the rifle, which was also supposed to be unloaded, an unexpected shot was fired. The weapon had been taken from its owner on suspicion of illegal possession.

Consequences and investigation

Following the incident, an investigation was launched, resulting in Bartosz Turek being charged. The trial began at the District Court in Warsaw. Several other police officers were in the room at the time of the incident, but no one was injured. The case concerns a violation of firearm safety rules on police premises.

The trial of former police staff sergeant Bartosz Turek, charged with causing an accident through negligence, began on Tuesday at the District Court in Warsaw. The incident occurred in March 2023 on the premises of the police station in Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki. The event involved an accidental discharge from a hunting weapon during its securing. According to the case files, officers were intervening regarding the confiscation of hunting weapons. They secured a 'Grot' submachine gun, which was unloaded and safe, and a Tikka brand hunting rifle. While handling the rifle, which was also believed to be unloaded, an unexpected shot was fired. A cartridge left in the chamber pierced the wall of the utility room where the officers were located and landed in the next room. Fortunately, no one was in the adjacent room at that moment, so no one was injured. The prosecution charges Turek with violating firearm safety rules, which resulted in creating a direct threat to the life and health of other persons present in the unit. Safe firearm handling rules are a fundamental element of training for every uniformed service officer and hunter. In Poland, they are regulated by, among others, the Weapons and Ammunition Act and internal service procedures. Accidental discharges, known as 'negligent discharges', constitute a serious violation of these regulations and can lead to tragic consequences, even in specialized units. Bartosz Turek, who was on duty at the time of the incident, pleaded not guilty. The indictment was served to him in February 2024. He faces a penalty of up to three years in prison. During the first hearing, the court heard witnesses and reviewed evidence, including forensic firearms examinations. The weapon, the Tikka rifle, was taken from its owner on suspicion of illegal possession. The fact that a cartridge remained in the secured weapon indicates possible negligence at several stages of the procedure – both during the weapon's receipt from the citizen and its subsequent inspection by the officers. This incident highlights the risk associated with handling any firearm, even one deemed 'secured'. The case is significant not only for the accused but also for the image and safety standards of the Polish police. An accident in a closed, guarded facility like a police station calls into question the procedures for storing and securing evidence in the form of weapons. The next court hearing in this case has been scheduled for next month. The trial is taking place under media scrutiny, underscoring the importance of internal service safety.

Mentioned People

  • Bartosz Turek — Former police staff sergeant, charged with causing an accident through negligence at a police station in Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki.