Parents taking care of shot officer

Constable Jeremy Snow may need a bone graft on his left leg. Photo / Supplied

The parents of a police officer shot three times during a routine patrol have moved in with him and his flatmates to aid his recovery.

Constable Jeremy Snow was released from Middlemore Hospital last week and is manoeuvring around in a wheelchair as the gunshot wounds in each leg and in his left elbow heal.

The 28-year-old and his partner, Constable Robert Cato, were fired on in Papatoetoe at 4.10am on December 22 while investigating a car that looked as if it was being tampered with.

The man charged with Mr Snow's attempted murder briefly appeared in the Manukau District Court yesterday and was remanded to appear again today.

Mr Snow's father, David, said his son had considered attending the man's court appearance but decided he was not well enough.

"We were thinking about going but we knew there would be a lot of reporters there and he'd be hounded."

He said his son had recovered well and was now able to push himself around in his wheelchair, although he had limited use of his left arm.

He was able to hop up and down on his right leg but was weaker on his left leg, which might need a bone graft.

David Snow said doctors had not said how long it would be until his son was able to walk again and return to work, which was his ambition.

Nurses visited the constable regularly at home but he and hiswife, Marion, both retired, had indefinitely moved from their Great Barrier Island home to look after him.

Mr Snow said his son was also eating normally again after being able to swallow only fruit on Christmas Day, which he celebrated in hospital.

"He hasn't developed any new tastes, he still doesn't like his peas and corn."

The probationary officer had given a full statement to police about the shooting and would not speak to the media because the case was before the courts, his father said.

Meanwhile, the accused's lawyer, Ish Jayanadan, argued for continued name suppression so his mother, who is out of the country, could be told of the charges.

But Judge Charles Blackie said he was not impressed with the argument and the principle of open justice should apply. He gave Ms Jayanadan until noon today to lodge an application to the High Court against name suppression being lifted.

Another man, Darren Court, 43, is alleged to have witnessed Mr Snow's shooting. He was facing two outstanding warrants for arrest when police caught up with him.

Police spokeswoman Ana-Mari Gates-Bowey said police were continuing their investigation and it was not yet clear if Court would face charges in relation to the incident.

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING EDWARD GAY