Alleged machete attack on Hawke’s Bay police officers ‘could have been fatal’

A vehicle crashed into a fence on Waitangi Road, Awatoto, and when officers approached it, the driver began swinging a machete at them.

A high-ranking Hawke’s Bay police officer says he’s proud of how his colleagues reacted as a man allegedly swung a machete at them in Napier on Monday morning.

Hawke’s Bay area commander Inspector Lincoln Sycamore said a 21-year-old Taradale man had been charged with dangerous driving, possession of an offensive weapon, assaulting police, injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, resisting police, threatening to kill and driving with excess breath alcohol.

He appeared in the Hastings District Court today and was granted interim name suppression and remanded in custody to appear again on Tuesday.

Sycamore said the incident began when a vehicle was seen driving at speed on Kennedy Rd in Napier with its headlights off about 1.30am.

“Police lost sight of the car, but a member of the public pointed police toward Clive, where the vehicle was located travelling at double the speed limit.

“As plans were being put in place to set up cordons and stop the vehicle, it crashed into a fence on Waitangi Rd, Awatoto, causing significant damage to the car and fence. Police were not pursuing the vehicle.”

Sycamore said a police unit located the vehicle and the sole occupant, who was initially compliant.

“As police approached him, the man allegedly pulled a machete from the vehicle and began chasing one of the officers while swinging the weapon.

“Both officers deployed Tasers, which were ineffective in stopping the man, before he was subdued with OC spray.”

Neither officer was injured by the weapon, Sycamore said.

“The officers involved were stood down for the rest of their shift. One officer was treated at the scene for a minor injury but did not require hospitalisation.

“I’m incredibly proud of their efforts. They were faced with a dangerous and unpredictable situation where a moment’s delay could have been fatal. They used training and experience to bring the alleged offender into custody without serious injury to him, or themselves.”

“Sadly, this is a reminder of the needless violence police face, often with little to no warning. While police are trained to make decisions rapidly and under pressure, nothing prepares you for seeing your colleague being threatened with a machete.

“I am proud of the way both officers executed their duty bravely, and the community is safer because of their actions.”