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Police will issue trespass notices to media who have harassed the family of the constable who was seriously injured in the September 8 shooting of fugitive father, Tom Phillips.
The police officer continues to recover in hospital while several investigations take place over the incident.
The constable, who graduated in 2022, was shot in the eye and shoulder after Phillps’ opened fire on him at the Te Anga Rd scene near Waitomo.
The young constable had only minutes before laid road spikes to disable Phillips’ quad bike, which he was riding after raiding the PGG Wrightson store in Piopio.
Phillips’ oldest daughter Jayda was accompanying her father during the incident which happened between 2.30 and 3.30am. She remained unharmed.
Acting Waikato District Commander Inspector Andrea McBeth told the Franklin Times on September 19, “our injured officer continues to recover in Waikato Hospital.”
She says all the officers involved in the incident have requested privacy.
It comes as some reporters have approached the injured officer’s family home. Police say trespass notices will be issued to media who continue to harass the family.
“On their behalf, Police last week asked media to desist with visits to their homes,” McBeth says.
The day after the shooting, Police Minister Mark Mitchell told the Franklin Times that the injured constable was “exhausted” and has a “long road to recovery.”
“He was shot at close range and took cover inside his vehicle and the other officers were able to deal with Mr Phillips,” Mitchell says.
The officer was then flown to Waikato Hospital by the Westpac Rescue in a critical condition.
Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers said during a press conference on September 8 that the constable would need “multiple surgeries”.
