Henderson Police are investigating an incident early today in which two police officers were seriously assaulted while affecting an arrest.
Police say the two officers, one of whom is female, went to an address in Kingdale Road Henderson, to attend a domestic related complaint that involved two members of a family playing loud music in the house.
The officers made two visits to the address in respect of the complaint.
Police first attended to the house at about 11.30pm on Wednesday 28 June 2006. The senior family member who had called Police declined to make a formal complaint. A settlement was negotiated and the Officers then left.
Just after midnight, on Thursday 29 June 2006 the two officers returned to the same address after a second priority call was received. They again resolved the situation by negotiation but waited outside the address, in anticipation of further problems.
Police then saw a male arguing in the kitchen of the house with a senior female member of the household. They re-entered and the complainant immediately asked to have the man removed from the property.
A struggle ensued after the male was warned for trespass. The man threw up to five punches at the male police officer, and also grabbed a pot which hit the Constable in the face. The struggle moved into the living room where the Constable was hit by a walking stick. Efforts to restrain the offender by the supporting female Constable were unsuccessful.
The female Constable was also punched with considerable force.
The force of the punch to her collar bone was such that it knocked her against the wall of the house causing her to be injured.
Other Police staff arrived at the scene to give assistance. Pepper spray was used in affecting the arrest. It was not used immediately as the male Constable had to wait for the opportunity so as not to affect other members of the family who were present.
During the incident another male in the house obstructed Police by getting in the way, and attempting to pull the officers off his brother.
Present in the house during the incident were the Mother, a son, an uncle and five young children. Their ages are not known at this time.
Both Police Officers have been treated at Auckland Hospital.
The female Constable has received
• broken ribs
• a severely bruised collarbone.
The male Officer, [Acting Sergeant], has received
• cuts and abrasions to the left side of his face and chin,
• bruising to the left shoulder,
• bruising to right leg
• Possible broken thumb on his left hand.
Two Polynesian males, aged 21 and 16 years will appear in the Waitakere District Court today on a variety of charges including Injuring with Intent, Resisting Police, Aggravated assault, and obstruction.