Nottinghamshire Police's Chief Constable has admitted he 'may have made a mistake' in not releasing information straight away when a girl was injured by a machine gun bullet at police HQ.
Chris Eyre, speaking at the monthly police and crime panel meeting, insisted he had been 'transparent' over the incident last Thursday.
He added: "It was my decision when made public, but the reason is we had young families.
"They have lives as well.
"That might mean I have made a mistake. I will stand...by that."
Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping, also at the meeting, said he was pleased that an IPCC investigation was underway.
"I welcome that, though the downside is it will take time.
"Their record is not good on this. We would like a quick turnaround.
"People want the police to be open and transparent.
"I was concerned if we didn't release this early doors the matter would reach the press and that is what occurred.
"I am delighted the chief constable has agreed to share what happened with the panel.
"The force is in regular contact with the family.
"It was a traumatic experience.
"Physically there is no problem, but they have continued to have regular contact with her."
The meeting saw councillors sit around the table with the police and crime commissioner, Paddy Tipping, as well as chief constable Eyre in tense circumstances, after a seven-year-old girl was injured when a machine gun accidentally went off at Sherwood Lodge.
It took a week for the incident to become public after The Post asked for confirmation, and it is understood to have led to rows between the commissioner and chief constable Eyre.
Police confirmed that a number of school children from across the county were visiting Sherwood Lodge on Thursday, October 30, after winning a colouring competition.
They were scheduled for a tour of the site, including looking at the force's dog unit and traffic cars. Then whilst they were being guided around, the group came across firearms officers, and were shown their weapons.
Police say there was a brief talk with the officers and, at around 12.15pm, a gun was accidentally fired into the ground.
A spokeswoman said: "Following the incident, a seven-year-old Nottinghamshire girl, who was part of the visiting group, was found with a minor injury to her lip.
"The cause of that injury will now form part of the investigation."
The officer involved has been taken off firearms duty and a full investigation has been launched by both Nottinghamshire Police and the IPCC.
