POLICE says the officer who fired off one round during a confrontation over a traffic ticket in Arima with a Diego Martin couple last week Friday had done so inadvertently.In a statement yesterday, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said the couple—identified as Katrianna Rezende, 38, and Manuel Rezende, 39—have been charged and have appeared in court.Police said on the day of the incident, officers of the Arima Traffic Department were on patrol along Sorzano Street, Arima when they saw a heavily tinted Toyota Hilux parked in a “No Parking Zone”.A woman who had been driving was told of the offence and was issued a fixed-penalty notice for “failure to comply with the permissible visible light transmittance of material on windscreen or windows of motor vehicles”.The officer then told the woman to remove the van from the No Parking Zone and she refused. The officers then requested her driving documents and she also refused to comply.Police said she started the van and was attempting to drive off, but while doing so she allegedly struck one of the officers who reported experiencing a burning sensation in her right foot.Police said believing her life was in danger, the officer removed her firearm from its holster, pointing it in a downward direction. The driver subsequently reversed the vehicle.However, in attempting to re-holster her firearm, her finger “inadvertently” touched the trigger and discharged one round of ammunition.Asked about the incident during a news conference yesterday at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain, Deputy Commissioner of Police Curt Simon said the executive of the TTPS was looking into the report.“The executive is aware. Yesterday (Wednesday) I spoke with Snr Supt Maynard Wilson, who is in charge of that division, and an investigation has commenced to look into that matter,” Simon said.Head of the Police Complaints Authority David West also told the Express yesterday the Authority was also looking into the incident and that an investigator had been assigned to the matter.Following the incident, Katrianna Rezende was charged with disorderly behaviour, resisting arrest, dangerous driving and careless driving; while her husband was charged with disorderly behaviour and obscene language.Appearing before Master Lisa Singh-Phillip in the Arima High Court on Wednesday, Katrianna Rezende pleaded not guilty to all charges.She was granted bail totalling $140,000 comprising of bail with surety in the sum of $80,000 to cover the charge of assaulting a police officer; and $60,000 bail to cover the other offences.The matter was adjourned to June 24.As part of her bail conditions, she was ordered to report to the Four Roads Police Station once per month between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.Her husband, Manuel Rezende, appeared before Magistrate Ali in the Arima Magistrates’ Court, and he was granted $30,000 bail and his case adjourned to November 30.Rezende was charged by W/Sgt Porter and WPC Hamid; while her husband was charged by PC Phillips, all of the Arima Traffic Unit.President of the Police Social and Welfare Association ASP Ishmael Pitt, who also spoke with the Express on the incident, said their officers are well trained but this does not mean accidents won’t happen.He said following an incident such as what occurred last week Friday, there will be an investigation and then “remedial action”.Asked to explain what that remedial action may entail, he said following the investigation it may be recommended that the officer receives a refresher training course in the safe handling of weapons.“Where an accident has occurred, re-training and other forms of remedial action would be the usual protocol,” Pitt said.The incident, which occurred near the Arima Magistrates’ Court, was recorded on the body-worn camera of a Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission estate constable.—with reporting byGyasi Gonzales