Police Association labels attack on two Dunedin cops as 'disgusting'

Police said two constables were assaulted after being called to a Kenmure Rd address late on Wednesday. Photo / File Photo

By Timothy Brown

The Police Association has condemned the behaviour of two people accused of assaulting two Dunedin police officers.

Police said two constables were assaulted after being called to a Kenmure Rd address late on Wednesday.

A male allegedly hit one of the constables with the broken leg of a wooden garden table and the other constable's teeth were allegedly chipped by a female. Police were called to after the woman allegedly assaulted a neighbour.

"Police have turned up to assist someone and have been attacked," association president Chris Cahill said.

"It's a pretty disgusting attack."

The number of attacks on police were trending down, but 35 per cent of officers had been assaulted during the past 12 months.

"The level of violence continues to be at a high level," Cahill said.

"Fifteen per cent of those [attacked] have suffered injury as a result of these assaults.

"It's far too high."

Otago Coastal area commander Inspector Jason Guthrie said the two officers were allegedly assaulted about 11pm on Wednesday after responding to a report of disorder.

"When police arrived, a male officer knocked on the door to establish what was happening," Guthrie said.

"A man from within the household opened the door and assaulted him, at one stage using the broken leg from a wooden garden table as a weapon.

"The officer suffered cuts, grazing and bruising to both arms.

"Thankfully, he was saved from major injury by his body armour, which absorbed the blows.

"While this officer was being assaulted, his fellow officer came to his aid and was assaulted by a woman from the address.

"She hit the second male officer in the mouth, resulting in moderate facial injuries."

The officers called for back-up and more staff were sent.

The alleged offenders, Michaela Coombes, 42, and Marcel Longden, 49, were arrested and appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday.

Longden is facing charges of assault with a weapon, assault with intent to injure and resisting police.

Coombes is facing charges of unlawfully being at a neighbour's address, assaulting that neighbour, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.

The pair were granted bail and are due to reappear in court at a later date.

The two police officers were treated at Dunedin Hospital before returning to duty, Guthrie said.

"I am proud of our officers who acted incredibly professionally in what was an unacceptable and completely unprovoked attack against them," he said.

"Police work tirelessly to keep our communities safe and acts of violence like this against our officers are not tolerated.

"Police take the safety of staff seriously and will continue to investigate this attack to hold those responsible to account."