MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WSAU) - Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn is defending one of his sergeants who had his gun go off in Southridge Mall.

Sergeant Michael Edwards is charged with putting the public at risk when he carried his gun in his waistband with the safety off. It went off last month, leaving a woman injured. Flynn says the sergeant has been forthcoming in explaining what happened. He says it was an accident and the situation should have been handled as a training and disciplinary matter.

Edwards has had no disciplinary incidents in his 25 year career. The chief objected to the filing of a misdemeanor charge.