A man has been shot by police after he allegedly threatened officers and stole their car in far north Queensland.
Police were called to an incident with a distressed woman in Cairns early on Wednesday when officers were approached by a 21-year-old man.
The man, who is known to police, allegedly threatened officers with a number of weapons before stealing a marked police car.
It sparked a pursuit to nearby suburb Woree, where police stopped the car and engaged with the man.
"It resulted in the male person being shot by a police officer," Detective Superintendent Mick Searle said.
The man was taken to hospital where he is stable and conscious.
An investigation is under way which will be subject to an Ethical Standards Command independent review.
Det Supt Searle said how many times the man was shot will form part of the investigation and extended his sympathy to the officer involved.
"This is the last thing this police officer thought he was going to have to do today when he arrived at work and it is the last thing any police officer wants to do," he said.
"It will be distressing for him."
