Canterbury's top police officer has broken down as he talked about two of his officers whom he says are lucky to be alive after a shooting in Christchurch on Tuesday.
Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Dave Cliff fought back tears as he explained how the two constables were shot by a neighbour over an unrelated incident in the suburb of Linwood.
He said the dog handler, Bruce Lamb, 51, who has been with the police for 32 years, has undergone surgery after being shot in the jaw.
The other officer, 39-year-old Constable Mitchel Alatalo, was also treated after being shot in the thigh.
Superintendent Cliff says a 34-year-old man is in police custody and another man is being questioned.
Routine inquiry turned violent
The officers were looking for someone in the area on Tuesday morning following a request by the psychiatric emergency services.
They had gone doorknocking in Buccleugh Road and Superintendent Cliff says the officers entered a house after noticing a strong smell of cannabis when the door was opened.
One constable was shot in the face, and the other was shot through the thigh. The police dog with them was shot dead.
Police found two firearms at the house, a .308 rifle and a 22 guage rifle.
Police Minister Judith Collins says six-year-old German Shepherd Gage attacked the man with the gun, allowing his handler and the other constable to escape.
"It allowed the officers to get away ... one to jump out the window and the other to get out some other way, and he saved the lives of the officers."
Ms Collins says the incident shows how dangerous and volatile policing is, and how things can get out of control very quickly.
Police Commissioner Howard Broad wants to increase the accessibility of firearms for frontline officers in such situations, which he says are extremely difficult to control.
"We're looking to put our people on to much greater levels of awareness around risk, and to provide them with the weapons at much greater proximity."
The Armed Offenders Squad cordoned off a large area of Linwood after the incident.
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