Please attribute to Inspector Jason Guthrie, Otago Coastal Area Commander:
At approximately 11pm last night two Police officers were allegedly assaulted while responding to a report of disorder at an address on Kenmure Road, Dunedin.
When Police arrived at the address a male officer knocked on the door to establish what was happening. A man from within the household opened the door and assaulted him, at one stage using the broken leg from a wooden garden table as a weapon.
The officer suffered cuts, grazing and bruising to both arms. Thankfully he was saved from major injury by his body armour which absorbed the blows.
While this officer was being assaulted, his fellow officer came to his aid and was assaulted by a woman from the address. She hit the second male officer in the mouth, resulting in moderate facial injuries.
The officers called for back-up during the assault and more staff were sent to assist immediately.
The two alleged offenders, a 42-year-old woman and 49-year-old man, were arrested at the scene and were set to appear in Dunedin District Court today.
The man has been charged with assault with a blunt instrument, assault with intent to injure and resisting police. The woman is facing charges of being unlawfully in a building, obstruction, common assault and assault on Police.
Both officers were treated in the emergency department for their injuries, before choosing to return to duty. They are being supported by district leadership staff as they recover from this ordeal.
I am proud of our officers who acted incredibly professionally in what was an unacceptable and completely unprovoked attack against them.
Police work tirelessly to keep our communities safe and acts of violence like this against our officers are not tolerated.
Police takes the safety of its staff seriously and will continue to investigate this attack to hold those responsible to account.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre