The Police Commissioner is defending the actions of North Otago police officers

A man in his 60s was shot when he presented a weapon at police in his Kurow home last night - after making suicidal threats.

He died in hospital.

Mike Bush says no officer wants a fatal shooting.

He says no officer takes using a firearms lightly, with the consequences likely staying with them the rest of their lives.

But Bush says police are highly trained and their ultimate role is keeping the community safe, including themselves.