Police officer knocked out in 'gutless' attack

The accused man was arrested when he was spotted washing his face in a local creek after being pepper sprayed. File photo / NZ Herald

An Auckland police officer was knocked out in a "gutless" attack by a driver he had pulled over.

Two officers from Waitakere CIB pulled over a "suspicious" car with three men inside at 11.30am today.

The officer spoke to the driver, who admitted his licence had been suspended.

The man was then told that he was under arrest for driving while suspended.

He became aggressive and as the officer tried to handcuff him, he punched the officer in the face.

The officer was knocked out and collapsed, bleeding from his nose and mouth.

"The second officer, who had been speaking with the two passengers in the car, tried to restrain the offender but a struggle ensued, during which time the offender had to be pepper sprayed. The offender then fled," a police statement said.

Other police units flooded the area and a short time later an eagle-eyed member of the public phoned police to report that there was a man washing his face in a nearby creek area.

"This was the offender attempting to wash his face after being pepper-sprayed," said police.

The injured officer was taken to Waitakere Hospital with possible concussion, facial and lower back injuries.

He is expected to be off work for the next few days.

"This was a gutless assault on an officer who was simply doing his job," said Inspector Steve Kose, acting area commander of Waitakere Police.

"These two officers were in fact doing what we call 'prevention activities' - performing a high visibility patrol to deter criminals and keep our communities safe.

"An assault like this should not be seen by anyone as simply being part of a police officer's job and I know the public will share their disgust at this."

A 21-year-old man has been charged with aggravated wounding and will appear at Waitakere District Court tomorrow.