The following can be attributed to Superintendent Andy McGregor, Bay of Plenty District Commander:
At 12.52pm today, a police officer has been driving along Vaughan Road where he has felt a thump on the side of the car.
As he has pulled over and got out of his vehicle, he noticed a man acting suspiciously.
The officer went to speak to the man and noticed him holding a four-foot long slasher. The officer has moved back to the police car at which time the man has attacked it.
The man then walked off and the officer called for assistance.
The man was followed to Marino Road where he was approached by armed Police staff at a commercial premises.
After multiple requests asking the man to drop his weapon, Police sprayed the man with OC spray. This had no effect.
Staff have then deployed a TASER three times in an effort to incapacitate the man with each attempt being unsuccessful.
The man has then walked off towards Te Ngae Road in the direction of a shopping centre, still armed with the slasher.
Following further warnings by police, an armed officer has then shot the man twice.
Police staff provided immediate first aid at the scene until ambulance staff arrived and transported the man to hospital where he is receiving further medical treatment.
Based on the information we know at this time, Police believe the man was affected by a substance, possibly methamphetamine.
Police have now launched an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the man being shot.
As is standard practice, Police have notified the Independent Police Conduct Authority of the incident.
Police are aware that there were a significant number of people in the area who may have witnessed the incident.
Police are asking anyone with information or footage of the event to contact police to help build a more detailed picture of what has occurred.
Alternatively, information can also be proivded anonymously via the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Released by the Police Media Centre