A police officer who was assaulted so badly he blacked out, still managed to chase his attacker and catch him.
The brutal attack occurred after the 32-year-old constable and a fellow officer were called to a property in Massey, west Auckland about 6am yesterday after reports a burglar on the premises.
While the other officer spoke to the occupants, the constable found a suspect nearby who turned and attacked him during questioning, Waitemata police spokesman Kev Loughlin said yesterday.
The police officer was punched 20 times in the face so savagely he blacked out.
"Everything seemed fine and calm and then the officer was king hit out of the blue and knocked to the ground. When he was on the ground he was punched multiple times in the head," Waitakere Area Commander Inspector Gary Davey told the New Zealand Herald.
The officer was knocked unconscious. When he came to, he chased the attacker through a park, and pepper-sprayed and arrested him.
The accused attacker appeared in Waitakere District Court yesterday charged with wounding the officer with intent and threatening to kill the officer.
Mr Davey said the constable had a CAT scan in North Shore Hospital yesterday to check for skull and facial fractures. He was discharged late yesterday afternoon.
Mr Davey said the officer was very sore and had a huge amount of swelling around his eye and the side of his head and face.
The attack came a day after Police Commissioner Peter Marshall, who took over the role on Monday, spoke in support of tougher penalties for those who assaulted police officers.
NZPA