Man charged with shooting Victorian police officer 'mentally unwell', court hears

A man who allegedly shot a Victorian police officer in the leg has been too unwell to front court.

Martin Pilli, 42, has been charged with attempted murder and causing serious injury after a police officer was shot in the leg with his own gun during a struggle in a Melbourne hotel room.

Legal Aid defence lawyer Sarah Pratt told the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday her client was unable to appear in court because he was "highly mentally unwell".

Police say they were called to a man self-harming at a hotel on Bell Street in Preston last night.

During a struggle, the officer's gun was fired and the officer was shot in the leg, police allege.

The officer and the man were taken to hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The prosecution told the court CCTV footage would form part of the evidence.

Ms Pratt said her client was suffering from suicidal thoughts and asked that he be transferred from the holding cells to more appropriate accommodation.

"I'd ask that he is reviewed as a matter of urgency," she said.

No bail application was made and Pilli is due to reappear in court on January 7.

Prosecutor Guillaume Bailin told the court the injured officer was in a serious but stable condition and the extent of his injuries was unknown.

Pilli is facing eight charges in total.

* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.