Police officer assaulted in West Auckland

A 21 year-old man has been charged with aggravated wounding, following an assault on a Waitakere Police Officer this morning.

At 11.30am this morning, two officers from the Waitakere CIB pulled over a car with three men inside, that appeared to be suspicious.

The officer spoke to the driver, who admitted that his licence had been suspended.

The officer advised the man that he was under arrest for driving while suspended.

The man became aggressive and as the officer tried to handcuff him, he punched the officer in the face.

The officer was knocked out and collapsed, bleeding from his nose and mouth.

The second officer, who had been speaking with the two passengers in the car, tried to restrain the offender but a struggle ensued, during which time the offender had to be pepper sprayed.

The offender then fled.

Other Police units flooded the area and a short time later an eagle-eyed member of the public phoned Police, to report that there was a man washing his face in a nearby creek area.

This was the offender attempting to wash his face after being pepper-sprayed.

The injured officer has been taken to Waitakere Hospital, with possible concussion, facial and lower back injuries.

He is expected to be off work for the next few days.

"This was a gutless asssault on an officer who was simply doing his job.

These two officers were in fact doing what we call 'prevention activies' - performing a high visibility patrol to deter criminals and keep our communities safe.

An assault like this should not be seen by anyone as simply being part of a Police officer's job and I know the public will share their disgust at this" says Inspector Steve Kose, Acting Area Commander, Waitakere Police.

The man was arrested and has been charged with aggravated wounding.

He will appear in the Waitakere District Court tomorrow morning.

ENDS

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