Statement from Superintendent Dave Cliff, Canterbury District Commander:
"This morning police were looking for a person who'd had threats made from an individual who had been released from psychiatric services.
Staff who were deployed included a police dog handler and a two person incident car. They were unable to locate the individual and were making inquiries at a neighbouring address.
When the door was opened to them there was a strong smell of cannabis and staff invoked their powers under the Misuse of Drugs Act to carry out a search without warrant.
One of the people at that neighbouring address was taken into custody and a second person has then gone back into the address. Staff followed this individual - though the exact details are still being pieced together.
This second individual has then shot the police dog handler in the face. The second constable who was also present attempted to escape through a window and has been shot through the leg.
The police dog handler has managed to escape from the address. The police dog has engaged the offender - it appears the offender has then shot the dog. Both staff were able to flee the property and get to their cars to call for back up.
The armed offenders squad was called - the address was cordoned and a 34- year-old male has been taken into custody. He has dog bite wounds which we believe are from the police dog which he shot and killed. He is currently being spoken to at the Christchurch Central police station.
The dog handler is aged 51 and had 32 years of police service. He has a bullet wound which has gone through the chin and broken his jaw in four places. He is in surgery at present and won't be able to be interviewed for some time.
The second constable is a 39-year-old who has 3 years service. He has been shot through the upper thigh. The bullet passed through, barely missing the femoral artery. He has been x-rayed - there has been no other damage and he will be undergoing surgery shortly.
The families of all the officers are with them and they've been fully briefed on what's taken place.
Commissioner Howard Broad and Minister of Police Judith Collins are currently en-route to Christchurch to offer support to staff and their families."
ENDS
Media contact: Kaye Calder 027 241 6305
A further news conference will be held at Christchurch central police station at 5.00pm today.
The police dog has been named as Gage.
A photograph of Gage, together with audio of Superintendent Dave Cliff, is available on the police website: www.police.govt.nz