Waikato Police praise member of the public's actions when officer assaulted

Waikato Police are commending the actions of a member of the public who, on seeing an officer assaulted, raised the alarm over a Police radio during an incident in Ngaruawahia overnight.

Describing what occurred as a cowardly attack Western Waikato Area Commander, Inspector Paul Carpenter, said scene guards were in place cordoning off a section of Newton St where the attack took place.

"A Ngaruawahia officer was awaiting back up and observing an incident after Police were called to reports of disorder about 9pm.

"Two other staff were on at the time however were attending a domestic incident and the officer was awaiting the arrival of a Police dog handler from Hamilton."

Mr Carpenter said the injured officer was approached by a member of the public in relation to a man described as out of control, who he then saw assaulting a woman.

"The officer has got out his patrol car and we believe spoken briefly to a man before it appears, he was hit.

"We're working to establish just what happened from there but what we do know is that as the officer was struck down his head has struck the curb and he has been knocked out."

A call for assistance was put out over a Police radio by a bystander and responding officers arrived to find their colleague bleeding and unconscious.

"Our staff member was taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance, checked out and he was released to recuperate at home after receiving a number of stitches.

"The focus for our enquiry team working on the case is to confirm the identity of the man we believe responsible for this attack. To that end we're asking anyone present during the incident, who has not already spoken to Police, to make contact with us."

Mr Carpenter said supervisors had already been in contact with the injured officer and management would be checking on his well being today.

"For any supervisor, news that one of their officers has been hurt in the line of duty is the worst kind of news you can receive but this officer will receive the full support of the wider Police family during his recovery.

"There is no link to this incident and a similar one in Ngaruawahia last month and the key thing for us now is to get alongside community leaders to address what is happening in Ngaruawahia at this time."

ENDS

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