Police hunt man who pointed gun at officer

Hayden Rizvi is about 180cm tall, Caucasian and of thin build. Photo / Supplied

A man is on the run after pointing a gun at a police officer during a foot chase in Auckland this morning. In another attack, an officer has a black eye and a chipped tooth after he was punched in the face during a traffic stop yesterday.

Police tried to stop a stolen car on Selwyn St in Onehunga.

The driver, believed to be 25-year-old Hayden Rizvi, took off before dumping the car in Three Kings. When an officer chased him Rizvi stopped and allegedly pointed a gun in his face.

Inspector Jacqui Whittaker said it was "completely unacceptable" that two officers had been subjected to violent offences in less than 24 hours.

"Our staff are not robots, they are human beings with families and friends like everyone else."

Police say Rizvi is considered dangerous and has 15 warrants for his arrest for range of serious offences.

The officer was shaken but not injured and is now being supported by police.

Whittaker is appealing for Rizvi to hand himself in.

"Having a gun pointed in your face should not be seen as being 'just part of the job'," said Whittaker.

"I am appealing to Hayden Rizvi to give yourself up. Have some form of dignity and come to us," she said.

Earlier, an officer had pulled over a man on the Southern Motorway and had asked to see his licence, when he was punched.

The officer suffered a black eye and chipped tooth.

"I say this again, the people who would assault our staff are the ones who will still call us when they are in need. And our officers would go into situations that many would run from, to help these people," Whittaker said.

"To assault the people who would save you is cowardly and intolerable and I know the law-abiding public will be equally appalled by this."

Rizvi is around 180cm tall, Caucasian and of thin build and has links to the Porirua area. He is thought to be of no fixed abode in Auckland.

He is considered dangerous and should not be approached.

Anyone who knows where Hayden Rizvi is should call 111 immediately or provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.