HOLYOKE (AP) - A veteran Holyoke police officer has been suspended for five days and ordered to repay the city $2,000 for losing a department-issued sniper rifle.

Sgt. John Hart's suspension is effective Dec. 26. He can appeal.

Chief James Neiswanger tells The Republican the rifle went missing Sept. 28. Hart put it in the back of his pickup truck and was on his way to a job when another driver told him his tailgate was down. That's when Hart discovered the rifle was missing.

The gun, in a hard plastic case, was unloaded, but the case contained ammunition.

The chief says Hart violated three department rules in losing the weapon.

Hart is a certified sniper who was a member of the department's defunct SWAT team.

He has refused comment.