A police union has defended the actions of an officer who fatally shot a woman after she rammed him with a car, describing it as a “do or die” situation.
The senior constable has since been released from hospital after being treated for leg injuries suffered on Saturday evening in South Melbourne.
Officers were attempting to arrest a 39-year-old man allegedly in possession of a machete when a woman drove an SUV at police, pinning an officer against a wall.
The car hit the senior constable, who fired four shots at the vehicle, hitting the 34-year-old female driver and a 26-year-old male passenger.
The woman died at the scene, while the shot man and police officer were taken to hospital.
Victorian Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt says officers remain under constant pressure and often have to fight for their lives while on duty.
“This is what our [police] members are dealing with on a regular occasion … confronted by people in vehicles like this. It can be not only life-altering, but it can end your life,” he said.
“There’s no magic wand for situations like this.
“When a car’s coming at you, there’s not a lot you can do it, and it is literally a case of do or die.”
Victorian Minister Steve Dimopoulos said it was a distressing situation.
“Our thoughts are absolutely with the senior constable at hospital, his family, also the family and loved ones of the woman who passed away,” he said.
A 39-year-old South Melbourne man has been charged with possessing a prohibited weapon and theft of a bicycle.
He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on August 12.
Detectives are investigating, with oversight from Professional Standards Command, which is standard procedure after a fatal police shooting.
