Police officer's jaw fractured in assault

A police officer was punched 20 times in the face while trying to arrest a burglar in the west Auckland suburb of Massey early this morning.

Police spokesman Kevin Loughlin said two officers went to a Massey address about 6am to follow up on a report that a burglar had been disturbed.

One of the officers was speaking to the occupants of the property while the other located and began questioning a man nearby.

That officer was then "suddenly and brutally assaulted," according to Mr Loughlin, receiving severe facial injuries after being punched 20 times in the face.

He had to use pepper spray to repel the attacker.

Police arrested a 32-year-old man on theft and burglary charges after he was located at a West Harbour address.

He will appear in the Waitakere District Court tomorrow.

Police have not ruled out additional serious assault charges also being laid.

The injured police officer is in North Shore Hospital.

A CT scan cleared him of the need for surgery and he would be released from hospital later today, Mr Loughlin said.

- NZHERALD STAFF