Counties/Manukau Police are urging 36 year-old Walter George Tauatevalu, or any of his associates who may be assisting him, to contact Police and make arrangements to be formally interviewed in relation to last night's near-fatal attack on a 42 year-old Police Officer in Otara.
Detective Inspector Jim Gallagher says Mr Tauatevalu would be well advised to present himself peacefully to Police to avoid confrontations in public areas or private homes.
"We want to get to the bottom of what happened last night in Sandrine Ave which has left one of our staff with serious and multiple facial and upper body injuries.
"The Sergeant, a supervisor in one of our Police Safety Teams, was attacked while endeavouring to speak to a woman passenger in a car driven by Walter Tauatevalu.
"Consequently, several of the officer's facial bones were fractured, as is his hyroid. He's scheduled to undergo surgery tomorrow.
"It's fortunate that the two women who followed the patrol car made the brave move to intervene when they could see the Sergeant was being beaten. No weapon was used.
"Meanwhile, the woman from the vehicle drove off forcing Mr Tauatevalu to leave the area on foot before Police back up and ambulance services arrived."
Mr Gallagher said the victim was admitted to Middlemore Hospital shortly after 11.30 last night but had since received specialist treatment today at Greenlane and Auckland Hospitals. He is scheduled to return to Middlemore tonight.
Police have been searching for Walter Tauatevalu since the attack and have visited homes of known associates in Otahuhu and neighbouring suburbs today.
Anyone with information about Walter Tauatevalu is urged to call Police on 111 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz