Winnipeg police have again lost a Taser cartridge such as this one. Taser International

For the second time in less than a week, Winnipeg police have lost a Taser cartridge.

The device fell off an officer's uniform Tuesday evening. The officer was patrolling the St. James and downtown areas at the time.

The cartridge, an approximately 1.5-square-inch device, is not the electric stun gun's firing unit but does contain the probe wires.

Police are urging anyone who finds it to not pick it up. If placed in a pocket, for instance, a buildup of static could activate it, causing the electric probes to be propelled.

Anyone who finds the cartridge is asked to contact police immediately.

Another cartridge was lost on Sunday but safely recovered after being found inside a police station.

Last year, the police service issued warnings on five occasions after the same type of cartridges fell off patrol officers' belts.