The Blue Hope Foundation released a statement after an armed man was shot by police in Henderson on Friday. File photo. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
A group working to support the police, says officers were forced to make a difficult decision when they fired at an armed man in West Auckland.
The Blue Hope Foundation said while officers were trained to handle such situations, the decision to use lethal force was never an easy one.
"We understand the emotional toll that such incidents can take on law enforcement professionals," it said in a statement.
The gunman was shot by officers outside Henderson Police Station on Friday, after the attempted robbery of a transit van carrying cash.
He died in hospital several hours later.
Police said during the incident the man fired at police and possibly the public.
The foundation said officers were better equipped to handle the challenges of their work when their health and wellness was prioritised.