A man is currently undergoing medical treatment following a tense standoff with armed officers that ended when the armed offender was subdued by Police dogs in Hamilton this afternoon.
Detective Sergeant Carl Moon of the Hamilton CIB said Police became aware this afternoon of a prolonged serious domestic violence incident that had allegedly began the night before.
"A 42-year-old male offender was tracked by members of the Waikato Armed Offenders Squad to a residential address in the Hamilton suburb of Beerescourt and voice appeals via the Police Negotiation Team commenced to try and get the man to surrender peacefully.
"Attempts to achieve this over a considerable period of time were unsuccessful so tear gas projectiles and distraction devices were fired into the house to allow Police staff to gain entry into the building safely, no shots were fired in the course of the events."
Mr Moon said when armed officers located the man he was found to have barricaded himself in the basement of the house and officers had to force there way through to allow access by Police Dogs.
"The Police Dogs have overcome the man after a struggle and he was secured. Having suffered moderate injuries the man is now being taken by ambulance for medical treatment. The female victim in this incident is currently being offered support via Womens' Refuge.
"The resolution of this matter without injury serious or loss of life is a testament to the professionalism of the staff involved and also to the varied range of tactical options available to Police. The dogs were able to be used because they are not affected by the gas and were under no stress from this."
Mr Moon said while the dogs are not affected by the gas humans are and the house was currently being cleared by officers wearing gas masks.
"When you consider one woman is killed in New Zealand by her partner or ex-partner every five weeks in domestic violence incident and about 10 children are killed every year today's incident speaks volumes for people involved in such circumstances to seek help.
"This incident was at the extreme end of the scale but serves as a reminder to the community that domestic violence is not OK."
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