Man shot by police in Western Sydney undergoes emergency surgery

A man has undergone emergency surgery after he was shot by police in Western Sydney.

Police were called to a unit complex on Lawson Street in Fairfield about 7:30pm on Thursday after reports of a violent disturbance.

Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden said officers arrived to the sound of "angry voices", and discovered blood in the doorway of one of the units.

He said officers attempted to speak with a 27-year-old man who "challenged police verbally" before he "started to charge at police".

He said a young police constable then discharged her firearm multiple times, striking the man twice in the torso and once in the arm.

Assistant Commissioner McFadden said the man continued to run toward the constable after he was shot, knocking her to the ground.

The man was subdued by two other officers and paramedics treated him at the scene before he was taken to hospital in a critical condition for emergency surgery.

He remains in a serious stable condition.

Police say man was unarmed

Assistant Commissioner McFadden said there was no information to suggest the man was armed at the time of the shooting.

A critical incident team from Bankstown Police Area Command will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The investigation will be subject to an independent review to be overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC).

Bodyworn camera footage of the incident has been reviewed and will form part of the investigation.

Assistant Commissioner McFadden said the officers involved in the incident had his "full support".

"One of the things that becomes apparent is the volatile nature of the calls for service that police are called to on a daily basis, and how quickly those circumstances can escalate," he said.

"The officers have my full support but we are also accountable for the actions we make and the decisions that we use in relation to the use of our tactical options."

Assistant Commissioner McFadden said the injured man was known to police.

"The lead investigator is also working closely with the family to understand the complex background for the 27-year-old male that has been injured," he said.

Circumstances of disturbance under investigation

Assistant Commissioner McFadden said police had located CCTV footage, which captured the 27-year-old engaging with two other males outside the unit before officers arrived.

"The male that was ultimately shot has made his way over the balcony outside his unit prior to police arrival," he said.

"The circumstances of why that took place and whether that was a voluntary act by the male, or whether it was in response to the presence of the other two males will form part of the investigation."

He said the 27-year-old was the only person present at the scene when officers arrived.