Officer who assaulted women still at work

During his brief appearance before Manukau District Court yesterday morning the matters were classified as "family violence". Photo / Supplied

An Auckland police officer has been accused of two counts of assaulting a woman, but remains at work.

Constable Alfred Punia Faireka, 39, has been a police officer for more than 10 years but now faces the prospect of losing his job and up to two years in jail on each charge.

A police spokeswoman said the officer had been stood down when the investigation began in July but he had since been placed on "restricted duties".

It is alleged that in March this year and midway through last year he assaulted the victim in Mangere; the suburb in which he lives.

During his brief appearance before Manukau District Court yesterday morning the matters were classified as "family violence".

Bail was not opposed by police on the condition that Faireka did not contact the complainant or police witnesses.

His lawyer Paul Borich indicated his client would be out of the country for two weeks next month and 10 days at the start of December, because of "sporting commitments".

The overseas travel was not related to his job, police confirmed.

Police newsletters show Faireka has represented the force in tag football and last year led the Auckland team to glory at police nationals.

In 2012, he also fronted a Neighbourhood Policing Team in Glen Innes.

"Its goal is to build relationships with its community, identify which issues are affecting people and develop ways to help increase peoples' feelings of safety and confidence in their police, as well as to reduce the actual harm occurring in the community," a police media release read.

Faireka said he was passionate about working with the community.

"None of us wants to see any of our kids getting hurt. While we can't stop all accidents happening, we can greatly reduce their frequency and the harm caused if we think ahead, think smarter and think safer," he said at the time.

Faireka will be back in court next month when he will have to enter pleas to the charges.