Policeman assaulted with radio

Clive community constable Alan Daly, who was assaulted today. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today

A police officer was punched, stomped on and smashed in the face with his radio in Hawke's Bay this afternoon.

Clive community constable Alan Daly is in Hawke's Bay Hospital with facial injuries after he was assaulted by two people he had stopped in a car in the small settlement 10km north-east of Hastings.

Mr Daly had pulled over the car, believed to be stolen, to talk to a man and woman who had allegedly been involved in a shoplifting spree in Napier.

Hastings Area Commander Inspector Dean Clifford said Mr Daly was speaking to the pair when the man got out and "king hit" him, knocking him to the ground. The woman then stomped on Mr Daly and began smashing his police radio into his face.

Mr Clifford said other police staff, who had been alerted to the stolen vehicle, quickly arrived and arrested the pair.

They are currently in custody and are being spoken to by police.

It is believed Mr Daly was able to radio for help at some stage during the assault.

Mr Daly was conscious when ambulance staff arrived and he was taken to hospital. He has a suspected broken nose and cheekbone.

"Obviously, this is a very distressing time for Alan and his colleagues and we are doing everything we possibly can to support him and his family," Mr Clifford said.

Mr Clifford said Mr Daly has been a police officer for over 25 years and has been the sole charge officer at Clive for 10 years. He is married with children and is well-known in Hawke's Bay for his involvement in rugby and Hawke's Bay Search and Rescue.

- NZ Herald staff