UPDATE 4.45PM:

Senior police officers have spoken to reporters following the "abhorrent" stabbing attack, saying the accused is up for life imprisonment. 

Police have also revealed the name of the senior constable involved in the incident at Cairns Central yesterday. 

Read the latest story here. 

UPDATE 10AM: 

The 22-year-old Manunda man accused of stabbing of a police officer at Cairns Central yesterday will remain in custody.

The accused, who can now be identified as Jack Smith, has been charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of a knife in a public place, possession of dangerous drugs and possession of tainted property.

His case was mentioned in the Cairns Magistrates Court this morning, where he was represented by duty solicitor Laura Moore.

She said there would not be an application for bail and asked for the matter to be adjourned, awaiting the police brief of evidence.

Magistrate Jacqui Payne adjourned the case for a committal mention on March 31.

EARLIER:

A man has been charged over the stabbing of a senior constable in a busy Cairns shopping mall. 

The 50-year-old police officer was conducting patrols alone yesterday when he encountered the 22-year-old Manunda man in a Cairns Central stairwell. 

The man is accused of stabbing the police officer in the stomach, chest and neck before leaving the scene. 

He was then located by police at a Bungalow address about half an hour later where he was arrested.

As a result of investigations, the 22-year-old has been charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, possession knife in a public place, possession of dangerous drugs and possession of tainted property.

He is expected to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court today.