A Police inquiry has been launched into Tuesday night's shooting of an armed man.

And the man who was the target of Police marksmen, Stephen Proctor, yesterday pleaded not guilty to behaving in a threatening manner, assaulting P.c. Simon Groves and causing him bodily harm during the incident.

As he walked to and from court yesterday Proctor was still walking gingerly.

Proctor, 52, of Rockywold Drive, Sandys, will be tried on March 15. He is represented by lawyer Larry Mussenden.

Magistrate Edward King ordered him to be released on $1,000 bail with one surety.

On Wednesday, just hours after the incident he jaied Proctor for non-payment of $600 worth of traffic fines. If the fines are not paid Proctor will be in prison for the next 178 days.

At yesterday's conference Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Smith explained the Service has an "extensive and descriptive'' Manual of Guidance for Police Use of Firearms under which all armed officers operate.

"We recognise that both the deployment of firearms officers and the conditions of issue and use of firearms require clear policy and guidelines,'' he said. "I can confirm that a de-briefing into the incident has already occurred.

"I can also confirm that a Service Tactical Advisor, the Emergency Response Team officers, the trained negotiator and uniformed officers considered a wide range of options as prescribed in those guidelines,'' he continued.

Once the shots were fired standard operating proceedure requires the service to launch an investigation into the shooting to "examine whether the protocols and policies that are in place were complied with''.

"I would anticipate that conclusions will be drawn and that any recommendations that arise out of the investigation will be actively considered,'' he added.

"The officer in this case has about 20 year's experience with the BPS. The BPS have had an armed capability for many, many years. But the reality of policing today is we have to consider the use of such force.'' Dep. Com. Smith added: "The deployment of firearms officers occurs on a relatively frequent basis. I can't recall in my almost 22 year's experience where a weapon has been used.'' Launching inqury: Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Smith