Today - Sydney Aust:
THE police officer who accidentally shot himself in the leg while making an arrest in northern Sydney was reholstering his gun when it went off.
The 31-year-old acting sergeant was shot just before 5.30am today after he and his three colleagues spotted an attempted break-in at the entrance to Westfield in Chatswood.
The officers were on a routine patrol of the shopping district when they disturbed a man trying to break in to a number of shops on Anderson St.
Detective Inspective Peter Yeomans said: "The officer drew his weapon in attempting to arrest the offender prior to the offender fleeing from the scene,'' he said.
"It appears at that stage that the officer has tried to reholster his weapon. It was ... an accidental shooting."
The officer, with seven years in the force, was rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital with a gunshot wound to his right leg.
He is in a stable condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Det Insp Yeomans said the acting sergeant, described as a respected member of the local Chatswood police station, would have surgery today.
"He seems in good spirits at this stage,'' he said.
"He will be admitted and there will be surgery later this evening.''
A critical investigation team is now investigating the shooting, with police cordoning off parts of Anderson St this morning.
A man has been charged with break-in offences after a Sydney police officer accidentally shot himself in the leg while making an arrest.