Commissioner praises officers

Police Commissioner Peter Marshall praised the actions of two Christchurch police officers after they wrestled a loaded shotgun from a man in the early hours of this morning.

“An offender who was on the run from police turned and pointed the loaded shotgun at a dog handler, who was tracking the offender, and another Constable,” said Commissioner Marshall.

“Dog handler Constable Lyal Bayliss and police dog Brock showed remarkable courage by tackling the offender and disarming him.

“Having a loaded weapon pointed at you is terrifying and to react in such a manner is a very brave thing to do. We are fortunate to have these officers in our community,” said Commissioner Marshall.

Brock was able to subdue the offender, while Constable Bayliss wrestled him to the ground with the assistance of Constable Darrin Pavelka.

“We expect a lot of our officers, as we rightly should, but it takes considerable courage to take on an armed and threatening offender.”

Police were alerted to an incident where two offenders, one armed with a shotgun, had broken into a house and threatened the occupant and her children at gunpoint. The offenders fled, and one was tracked to a nearby property by Constable Bayliss and Brock.

A 30 year old man was to appear in Christchurch District Court this morning on firearms and aggravated robbery charges. Police are still to locate the second offender and a third associate.