Shocking footage shows the moment a man opened fire on police in the US after he was stopped for a traffic offence.

The dramatic dash cam video, released by Washington County Sheriff’s Office, shows Corporal Brett Thompson pull over the driver of a green Saturn car in Tontitown, Arkansas, for a traffic violation.

But as Cpl Thompson gets out of his car and begins approaching the stationary vehicle, driver Luis Cobos-Cenobio can be seen opening his door and shooting at the officer.

After exchanging numerous rounds, 29-year-old Cobos-Cenobio gets back into his car and speeds off before letting out a female passenger and taking off again.

He was later stopped and arrested for attempted capital murder, act of terrorism, fleeing, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Dash cam footage captured the moment Luis Cobos-Cenobio opened fire on an officer from Washington County Sheriff's Office after he was stopped for a traffic offence in Tontitown, Arkansas, on 11 November, 2018 (Washington County Sheriff's Office)

The female passenger, who police say wanted to be let out of the vehicle, was not found to have committed a crime.

Washington County Sheriff’s Office posted the footage of the incident, which took place at about 12.43pm local time on 11 November, on Facebook.

Dash cam footage captured the moment Luis Cobos-Cenobio opened fire on an officer from Washington County Sheriff's Office after he was stopped for a traffic offence in Tontitown, Arkansas, on 11 November, 2018 (Washington County Sheriff's Office)

Posting the footage, it said: “Since there is already bystander footage that has been shared via social media and local news outlets regarding the traffic stop that occurred this past Sunday (Nov 11, 2018), and because of the great public interest it has generated, Sheriff Helder made the decision to share the combined footage that includes Corporal Thompson’s dash cam as well.

“We are so thankful Corporal Thompson, all other officers who were involved, as well as citizens who were in the areas of the incident, were unharmed.”

Cobos-Cenobio was treated for a wound in his left arm before he was taken into custody.

No officers or deputies were injured in the incident.