Statement from Commissioner Andrew Coster
It is with a heavy heart that I confirm that one of our colleagues injured in the incident in Massey, West Auckland, today has died.
This is devastating news and absolutely the worst thing for us to deal with. We have lost a colleague and friend in our Police whānau.
Our thoughts are with the officer’s family and loved ones, and with the other officer and member of the public who were injured in the same incident and their loved ones.
From the information we have this was a routine traffic stop and is the type of work our officers do every day to keep the public safe. At this stage there is nothing to indicate that the job was going to be anything out of the ordinary.
At around 10.30am, a police unit has performed a routine traffic stop on Reynella Drive.
The attending officers were shot and a member of the public has also been hit by the vehicle.
The second officer and the member of the public are in hospital where they are being treated for their injuries. The member of the public has minor injuries and the officer has serious injuries.
The alleged offender has fled the scene and enquiries are ongoing to locate them.
While efforts to locate the offender are ongoing staff in Tāmaki Makaurau will be armed.
Our priority is to support our officers and to locate this alleged offender as soon as possible.
This incident points to the real risks our officers face on the streets, doing their jobs, every day.
Staff safety and welfare are our absolute priority and our whole organisation is in a state of shock after these horrific events.
Further information will be released as it becomes available.