Police officer accidentally shoots himself in the buttock

Police officer with gun
Fortunately he has not been badly injured. Photo credit: File

A police officer is off work after accidentally shooting himself in the buttock.

The officer, whose name hasn't been released, was attending a specialist training course on the Police College firing range when the accident occurred last week.

Inspector Dave Rose told Newshub the pistol discharged as the officer put it back in the holster. 

"The officer was not badly injured," Rose said.

They are expected to return to work at their home station later this week after recovering from the wound.

Police are continuing to look into the matter to determine anything that can be learned from the incident.

Newshub.