Punched for swearing

A teenager claims he was punched repeatedly by two police officers after being arrested and handcuffed.

Josh Hart, 18, said the attack left him with a giant lump on his head.

Officers Gareth Needham and Alan Douglas have been charged with assaulting Hart on February 2 and will reappear in the Waitakere District Court next month.

Hart was drinking in Titirangi when police arrived. "I was walking away from the cops ... one cop knocked my beer out of my hand," he said.

Hart said the confrontation happened after he called the officer a derogatory name. "He said 'what did you call me?', so I repeated it. He punched me in the face. I said 'f*** you' and he punched me again."

He was charged with disorderly behaviour, but did not have to appear in court.

Hart did not make a complaint. He was contacted by a North Shore officer who told him the accused's colleagues went to their bosses after the alleged incident.