County Attorney Mark DeCaria wrote in a letter that Police Chief Dave Hansen simply made a mistake when he shot himself in May during a concealed weapons permit class he was teaching. Hansen voluntarily surrendered his teaching license May 14.

"While witness accounts vary, it is my determination that no one (among the students) was in danger from this weapon," DeCaria's letter says.

"It is my belief that at no time did Chief Hansen knowingly handle a weapon that was loaded and ready to fire."

The bullet pierced Hansen's left calf and exited through the ankle. Hansen has returned to work but has needed two surgeries on the leg.

DeCaria said claims by some students that Hansen pointed the gun in the direction of students were not substantiated.

"That is somewhat in conflict, but the vast majority of people from the class who spoke to investigators said he never pointed the barrel toward the class," he said. "People say very clearly he never pointed the gun at anyone."

When Hansen attempted to disassemble the weapon to remove the barrel, the gun fired.

"It is my determination that there is no criminal conduct here and that this was an unfortunate accident," DeCaria wrote.

Riverdale Mayor Bruce Barrows said the incident has resulted in city policy changes, including no longer using live ammunition in firearms training except for shooting sessions at a shooting range.

"It agreed completely with what our internal investigation found, that it was an accident and obviously unfortunate," Burrows said of DeCaria's investigation.

Hansen said he's relieved he was cleared of any criminal behavior.

"And I apologize to the people upset by the incident. I would give anything to be able to reverse that moment when the gun went off."

The city issued Hansen a written reprimand.