Two men have been charged with assaulting a police officer following an attack on an Orewa Constable today.
The officer was patrolling the Orewa CBD at around 12.40pm, where there is a 24-hour liquor ban.
A man who was with several other people outside a dairy on Centreway Road was drinking straight whiskey from a bottle. When the officer discussed this with the man he began yelling obscenities. There were a number of families with young children in the area at the time, and though the man was warned about his behaviour, he continued to yell obscenities.
He was advised he was under arrest but is alleged to have resisted and ran away. The officer chased him but a struggle ensued and as the officer tried to restrain him, one of the man's associates then joined in, punching the Police officer repeatedly in the head.
A member of the public who was driving past stopped his car and attempted to pull the alleged assailant off the Police officer. Backup arrived and the assailant ran away. He was arrested a short time later at a nearby address.
The officer was treated for bumps and bruises to his head, elbows, knees and neck and will be off work for several days.
Both men, who are aged 41 and 34 years-old have been charged with assaulting a police officer. The 34 year-old has also been charged with escaping custody. They will appear in the North Shore District Court on December 10.
"Our officers work really hard to make sure the community is safe and feels safe and this sort of cowardly rubbish is totally unacceptable. What is heartening though is the fact that a member of the public stopped to lend a hand. We don't actually know who that person was at this stage and we'd really like to say thanks very much, so please get in touch if it was you" says Inspector Mark Fergus, Area Commander, Rodney Police.
Anyone else who may have witnessed the incident is asked to call the Rodney Police on 09 426 4555.
ENDS
Issued by Beth Bates/Waitemata Police