what is thought to be the first ever incident in which the force has shot a suspect.

Stephen Proctor was shot by members of the Emergency Response Unit after he refused to get down from a roof and allegedly threatened his family.

Just hours later, walking nearly bent over double, he was jailed by a magistrate for not paying outstanding fines.

But the investigation continues into the "potentially violent dispute'' at a Rockywold Drive, Sandys home which prompted a Police negotiator and Emergency Response Team to respond.

It is not yet known if charges will be laid against Proctor in relation to the incident.

At around 10.30 p.m. the 52-year-old was allegedly brandishing a mallet and a machete and acting in a threatening manner towards family members.

By the time the first Police officers arrived, Proctor had moved to a neighbouring apartment.

Allegedly, he had begun to act in a hostile manner towards Police, threatening them with violence and throwing construction materials at them.

A Police spokesman said yesterday that the negotiator was summoned and attempted to talk the man down.

Similar tactics in July convinced a deranged man to peacefully be arrested at a Hamilton Parish home. The ERT was also present at that incident.

The Fire Service had also been called to Rockywold Drive to provide lighting for the normally sleepy neighbourhood.

Once the senior officer on the scene concluded the man would not allow himself to be arrested by peaceful means, senior level permission was sought for the ERT officers to attempt to get the man down.

Machete-wielding man shot Permission was granted and he was subdued and brought down to safety without serious injury.

When asked directly if the man was "shot'' the spokesman said: "Yes. The man was armed and was acting in a very, very aggressive and hostile manner and it was a violent situation.'' He added: "As a last resort the ERT was called out. Those officers are highly trained and the aim is to bring the situation to a successful end.

"They have extensive training for this type of work. Standard procedure directed the initial use of a trained Police negotiator in order to resolve the situation.'' He continued: "Deployment of the ERT was authorised at a senior level only after it became clear that the negotiating process had been exhausted.

"At this time, a highly trained Tactical Advisor to the ERT made the decision to use the appropriate force to bring the incident to a successful resolution.'' But Proctor's lawyer, Larry Mussenden complained to Magistrate Edward King that his client was in distress "because Police shot him last night''.

"Yah! They shot me,'' Proctor interjected when Mr. King looked up quizzically. "They shot me in my leg and my chest with riot bullets. I'm hurting now.'' Proctor was jailed for 180 days pending payment of the $700 fine which are understood to be for traffic offences dating from 1999.

While the ERT are armed with the standard Heckler and Koch MP5 sub-machine gun, they also carry the Arwen 37 which fires plastic batons to knock subjects down without permanent injury.

At the time of the July incident the Arwen 37 was described as "the less lethal option''.

The Police spokesman last night could not confirm what weapon was used against Proctor.