A Calgary police officer has been charged with firearm offences after buying a shotgun without the required licence and improperly storing it, police said at a news conference Wednesday evening.

Acting Deputy Chief James Hardy said the 26-year-old officer with two years of service is alleged to have purchased the firearm in August without a possession and acquisition licence and the gun was not stored in his home in a safe manner.

Hardy says police became aware of the firearm following a domestic incident involving the accused officer although there were no charges related to that domestic incident.

"One of our officers has been charged," Hardy told reporters.

Review to follow 7-day leave

He said, to his knowledge, these are the first charges the officer has faced.

The officer was charged earlier Wednesday and placed on administrative leave for seven days, at which time a review will be conducted to determine what happens next.

He's facing charges of unauthorized possession of a firearm and contravention of storage regulations.

Hardy said typically charges like these would not have been made public but police decided to do just that in the name of transparency as it involved an officer, although they are not naming him to protect family members.

An internal police investigation will follow court proceedings, Hardy said.