Slain veteran officer 'a hell of a nice guy'

Snr Constable Len Snee's methods were 'a little unorthodox, but got results' says a lawyer who knew him professionally. Photo / Supplied

The policeman slain in a shooting in central Napier this morning was a veteran of the force, police say.

Senior Constable Len Snee, 53, of Taradale Police was fatally shot as he conducted an apparently "low-risk" drug raid on a Chaucer Street house on Napier Hill.

Mr Snee who was married had been in the force for 33 years, a police spokeswoman said tonight.

Two other policemen, also long-serving officers, and a civilian were wounded in the incident that erupted about 9.30am.

The injured officers were Senior Constable Bruce Miller, 40, married, a community constable in the suburb of Ahuriri, who had been in the force for 18 years; and Senior Constable Grant Diver, married, 50, a dog handler who was in his 27th year in the service.

Both policemen and the injured civilian have been operated on for gunshot wounds at Hawke's Bay Hospital and were now in a serious condition in the hospital's intensive care unit.

Dozens of police have surrounded the house where the alleged gunman is holed up. Periodic gunfire has been heard throughout the afternoon.

A local lawyer who knew Mr Snee said he will be missed by the Napier legal community.

Mr Snee's body was this evening still lying next to his police car at the property.

Napier lawyer Derek Quilliam knew Mr Snee for more than 10 years and said he was "terribly sad" to hear of his death.

"He was a thoroughly nice person who would be well respected by his fellow officers and certainly amongst members of the legal profession who have dealings with him."

Mr Quilliam said the dead officer had been involved in many police operations over the years.

One of the more high profile cases was the murder case of Napier farmer Jack Nicholas.

Mr Snee was also very experienced with drug raids, especially in forestry areas around Hawke's Bay, Mr Quilliam said.

"His methods sometimes were a little unorthodox, but he got some good results.

"He was very pleasant. He was a hell of a nice guy.

"He will be missed," Mr Quilliam said.

- NZPA