Christchurch’s top cop reveals how he swung into action to bring down mosque ...

Christchurch's top police officer has revealed how he and his team launched into action to bring down the alleged mosque massacre shooter. 

Superintendent John Price, 55, was having a cup of tea between meetings discussing serious crime in the region when the call came in on March 15.

A shooter had entered a mosque in Christchurch and opened fire on people gathered inside the building. 

The toughest day of Price's career began to unfold. 

Superintendent John Price, 55, was in his having a cup of tea between meetings discussing serious crime in the region when the call came in on March 15

Superintendent John Price, 55, was in his having a cup of tea between meetings discussing serious crime in the region when the call came in on March 15

Accused Christchurch massacre gunman Brenton Harrison Tarrant (pictured) made a white power gesture from behind a glass window, during his first court appearance in March

Accused Christchurch massacre gunman Brenton Harrison Tarrant (pictured) made a white power gesture from behind a glass window, during his first court appearance in March

With 32 years' experience, Price had seen his fair share of tragedy, including the Canterbury earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, the Kaikoura earthquake in 2016 and the Port Hills Fires in 2017.

The father of three knew he needed to remain calm and began putting plan together in his mind as he headed to the command centre where he would oversee the deployment and management of police staff.

'Inside I was not calm... there was a little bit of crisis chaos going on, but my exterior was portraying calmness,' he told Stuff.

The armed offenders squad were first on the scene at the Deans Ave mosque, where multiple people had been injured and killed. 

Moments later another call came in, shots had been fired at the Linwood Masjid on Linwood Ave too.

Footage of the shooting, which was livestreamed by the shooter, was being played on a screen inside the Christchurch police command centre.

'I was stunned seeing it,' Price said. 

'The human side of me (was thinking) this is simply unbelievable, but then the police officer in me... (was) going what's happening here? Trying to process it.

'To be quite frank, it felt like a nightmare, it absolutely felt like a nightmare to me, and, in fact, it probably might have been an hour into it I was thinking ''is this actually happening?'' It felt so surreal.'

Tarrant (pictured) was arrested on the sidewalk by two training police officers on Friday after he allegedly shot and killed 50 Muslim worshipers

Tarrant (pictured) was arrested on the sidewalk by two training police officers on Friday after he allegedly shot and killed 50 Muslim worshipers

Worshipers from the two mosques began to emerge covered in blood. 

Schools went into lockdown in Christchurch as police swarmed the city. 

Price was part of the team trying to understand and manage the chaos. 

Two experienced rural police officers, who had been at a training exercise when the shooting began, then spotted a gold Subaru driving erratically on Brougham St. 

The registration number matched the one that had been identified in the alleged shooter's video, where the the alleged gunman had been seen grabbing a rifle from the boot.

The officers then risked their lives by ramming the vehicle off the road. They dragged the driver out of the car, and he was arrested.

Inside the car were improvised explosive devices, which were later disarmed.

The arresting officers' experience and maturity was the key to taking him down, Price said.

The officers were two of many heroes that day, Price said. 

The horrific terror attack in Christchurch, which left 50 worshipers dead, has been described as New Zealand's darkest day

The horrific terror attack in Christchurch, which left 50 worshipers dead, has been described as New Zealand's darkest day

Young women weep as they hold each other for comfort during a students vigil near Al Noor mosque

Young women weep as they hold each other for comfort during a students vigil near Al Noor mosque

Following an interview with the alleged gunman, and through police intelligence, police knew the immediate threat to the city was over.

There were 50

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