Cop shot at, burnt in city shooting

Police want to talk to Murray Toleafoa after a policeman was shot at in Auckland's inner city. Photo / Supplied

A manhunt is underway in Auckland for an "armed and dangerous" offender who shot at a police officer from close range last night.

The 40-year-old officer escaped with burns to his forearm and is "lucky to be alive".

Police said the officer pulled a white Toyota Altezza over on Mayoral Drive when he witnessed suspicious activity early this morning.

He was taking the car keys off its female driver when the car's passenger fired at him from close range, police said.

The officer, who has been serving in the police for nine years, suffered burns to his forearm when the bullet narrowly missed him.

He was lucky to be alive, police said.

A woman drove a white Toyota vehicle away from the shooting scene at speed.

It was recovered an hour later in View Rd, Mt Eden.

Detectives and armed offenders squad members were hunting Murray Toleafoa, a 30-year-old Samoan with gang connections, and Nadia Ball over the attack.

Police warned against approaching Toleafoa, who is believed to be armed and dangerous.

Auckland police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said the shocked police officer was being supported by his colleagues and would receive counselling.

Several of his colleagues had been "very close by" at the time he was fired on, she said.

She could not confirm whether a pursuit was launched after the incident.

Police Commissioner Peter Marshall condemned the incident.

He was thankful that the shots missed the officer.

"While the vast majority of our roadside interactions with individuals take place peacefully and without violence there continues to be a minor element within society who resort to mindless violence.

"Having been out on the streets recently with the frontline, they have my utmost admiration for the way they go about their jobs."

Mr Marshall said he would be in touch with the officer who was fired upon later today.

The incident showed police officers have to be constantly alert for signs of irrational behaviour, he said.

"On the other hand good conversational communication is a police officer's best skill. Maintaining the balance is the art of policing and I take my hat off to my staff's professionalism."

- Herald online