Media Release

For Immediate Release
27 September 2007

Association Supports Officer Involved in Police Shooting

The Police Association is fully supporting the officer involved in last night's shooting in Christchurch, Police Association President Greg O'Connor said today.

"This is the situation every police officer dreads. It's a possibility police face every time they go on shift. Even so, nobody goes to work expecting to be placed in a position where they are forced to shoot somebody," Mr O'Connor said.

"Inevitably, armchair critics will speculate and make judgments about what 'could' or 'should' have been done. But the officer involved was the person who was there, facing the situation, who had the training, and who was faced with the responsibility of actually making a decision," said Mr O'Connor.

"It's a hell of a decision to have to make. I know that officer will be feeling absolutely shattered by that experience."

"The Police Association is standing by that officer and offering all the support we can."

"As with all such incidents, this shooting will now be the subject of extensive investigation by Police, by the PCA, and by the coroner. Yes, those investigations will take time. But until they are complete, none of us is in a position to criticise the judgment call, that the officer involved, was forced to make," Mr O'Connor said.

ENDS

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