KEY POINTS:
Despite being knocked to the ground three times by an intoxicated youth as more than 40 people cheered the attacker on, Constable Denis Bergman remains upbeat.
About 12.30am on Saturday, the 51-year-old Westport policeman responded to calls that a group of youths were causing a disturbance around the
town, breaking windows and frightening residents.
Mr Bergman, 51, the only officer working the night shift, found the group, aged between 14 and 20, in the Passive Gardens in Victoria Square.
He told the Herald he attempted to break up the group but was confronted by a 15-year-old "obnoxious male" who refused to back off.
Mr Bergman went to arrest the youth for disorderly behaviour but while reaching for his handcuffs, he was struck in the side of the head and fell to the ground.
"It was like mob mentality. Kids were egging him on. It gave me a lot of concern. It shouldn't have happened that way."
And when Mr Bergman attempted to get up he was kicked in the back and fell again. He was wearing a stab vest which he believes softened the blow.
During the attack the youth escaped. While calling for assistance Mr Bergman was struck in the neck and fell again. Within minutes three off-duty policemen arrived.
"The support here is fantastic, I work with a great bunch of guys. It's a career I believe in still," he said.
Mr Bergman then drove himself to Buller Hospital. A nurse there told him a 17-year-old, who had been struck in the head, had been admitted to hospital. The youth, who is the alleged attacker, is to appear in the Greymouth District Court today.
Mr Bergman said he had a "few cuts and scratches" but would not be taking any time off.
Youths often congregated in the town on weekends but they usually moved on when police arrived.
"It was totally out of character. You get to know these kids, most of them are nice kids. I was on first-name basis with the youth who attacked me."
Mr Bergman, who has been a policeman for 30 years, had moved to Westport only four months ago after working in Orewa and before that, Auckland.
"I thought, 'Where do I want to be when I retire?' Westport has a nice feel about it. It's a really supportive town. You drive in and it's like walking into a new house. I have no regrets about coming. I don't want the town to be tainted by something like this."
Before the attack, Westport police were looking at having two officers working at night, Mr Bergman said.
Senior Sergeant Geoff Scott said the majority of the youths had open alcohol bottles, breaching the liquor ban.
