Shot officer 'pleased to be alive', father says

Police at the scene of the shooting yesterday. Photo / Greg Bowker

The father of the south Auckland police officer who was shot three times has described his son as a man who enjoys his job and who had wanted to be a police officer since he was a boy.

David Snow said his son was "doing okay" but was still in pain.

"He is pleased to be alive and it could be a lot worse.

"He enjoys being a policeman. He wanted to be a policeman from a young age. He wanted to be a truck driver or a policeman from a young age and he's done a bit of truck driving," Mr Snow told a press conference today.

He said his son will not be put off police work by the shooting.

"Police work is no more dangerous than a construction worker. More people get killed on a construction site. It's just a job and you do these things," Mr Snow said.

Constable Jeremy Snow is recovering in Middlemore Hospital from gunshot wounds after he and his partner Constable Robert Cato were fired at as they went on to a property in the Manukau suburb of Papatoetoe during a routine patrol about 4.10am, yesterday.

Mr Snow, 28, was shot three times - once in each leg and once in the elbow. One round hit his femoral artery, causing heavy blood loss.

A bedside hearing at Middlemore Hospital for the 28-year-old charged with the attempted murder of Mr Snow took place this morning. The man is recovering from police dog bites.

Detective Inspector Mark Gutry said the man had name suppression and would be appearing in the Manukau District Court next month.

He would not rule out the possibility of the man facing further charges.

Mr Gutry said police were looking for Darren Thomas Court, a 43-year-old who has warrants out for his arrest relating to the "taking of a car and behaviour offences" that are unrelated to the shooting.

He said police believed Court was at the house in Buckingham Crescent when Mr Snow and his colleague Constable Robert Cato were fired at yesterday morning while on a routine patrol in Papatoetoe.

"Certainly I'd suggest the public should not approach him," Mr Gutry said.

He said police would like to speak to Court to get his version of events. Anyone with information should phone police on 09 262 9111.