The suspect was shot by RCMP near Cochrane, Alta.

A suspect was shot by a police officer during a standoff after a traffic stop in rural Cochrane, Alta., on Tuesday evening.

At 5:08 p.m., Cochrane RCMP attempted to arrest a man after a traffic stop in a rural area near the community.

Officials say the suspect's vehicle crashed into a police cruiser and disabled it.

He then got out of the car and “an altercation ensued” resulting in a police officer firing his weapon.

The male suspect was seriously injured in the shooting and taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The officer was not injured in the incident.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) will be contacted to conduct an independent investigation, RCMP said.

“The RCMP believes in accountability and transparency and in doing so will fully support ASIRT investigators. Incidents like this are difficult for all involved,” police said in a statement.

The RCMP is also conducting an independent investigation into the circumstances of the shooting.

“RCMP training, policy, police conduct and officer status will be reviewed.

“The RCMP is of course cooperating fully with ASIRT.”