An area is cordoned off after a police officer was shot in Hamilton overnight. Photo / Hayden Woodward
An area is cordoned off after a police officer was shot in Hamilton overnight. Photo / Hayden Woodward
A police officer shot in Hamilton overnight will undergo surgery today for injuries suffered in the incident.
Assistant Commissioner Richard Chambers confirmed the officer was now in a stable condition in Waikato Hospital.
He suffered injuries to his arm and shoulder.
Chambers said both the officer and his family were"relieved" the outcome had not been more serious, adding: "Thank heavens we aren't dealing with a fatality".
"Obviously, it was a frightening situation for any police colleague to find themselves in a situation such as this," he said,
"The necessary support is being wrapped around our colleague. The Commissioner of Police has been in touch and our support services are looking after our colleague and others in our organisation.
"I would like the acknowledge the magnificent work of police staff through the night to efficiently and effectively resolve the situation. I would also like to the support of the community and in particular the Ngaruawahia community. The assistance they have provided us has been significant to us."
The drama unfolded shortly before midnight on Friday when a police officer pulled over a vehicle in Hamilton.
Police earlier confirmed the Armed Offenders Squad and Eagle helicopter were deployed to assist with locating the alleged offenders and the two cars.
It comes just a few weeks after the first anniversary of Constable Matthew Hunt's death.
The 28-year-old officer was shot dead in West Auckland on June 19 - making him the 33rd police officer to be killed in the line of duty in New Zealand.
Police Association president Chris Cahill said another officer getting shot was concerning and his thoughts were with the officer and his family.
"Again it just highlights the risks out there that all police officers face and the fact that vehicle stops are one of the most dangerous things officers do."
He said this event could have had tragic results, and it showed there were far too many offenders out there with firearms willing to use them against police.
"We're certainly pleased this hasn't resulted in more-serious injury."
Police officers attending jobs alone was a problem that needed to be addressed, Cahill said.
"Single crew in vehicles is relatively common and in rural policing to some degree it is required, but we would argue in metropolitan centres there is no need for that any more."
National's police spokesman, Simeon Brown, agreed it was "incredibly concerning", saying beyond the rising general violence there was also more anti-police rhetoric imported from overseas.
"The demonisation of the police – even at times by elected officials – contributes to more hostility on the streets and further aggression towards officers," Brown said.
He said tougher penalties were urgently needed to send a clear message that assaulting a police officer was unacceptable and would not be tolerated.
