Two of the three off-duty police officers who allegedly assaulted two university students denied the charges when they faced court yesterday.
Auckland City constables Patrick Garty, 32, and Chris Renata, 31, entered not guilty pleas when they appeared in the Auckland District Court.
Renata faces a single charge of assault and will next be in court for a defended hearing on March 3. Garty faces three charges and will face a status hearing on November 16.
A third officer, Wiremu Bowers-Rakatau, 21, did not enter a plea to two assault charges and will appear again on October 12.
The three accused were off duty when they allegedly clashed with two university students who were walking home in High St, in central Auckland, on March 18.
The students allege the officers punched them after forcing their way into the lobby of an apartment building. One of the students, the son of an Auckland detective, needed stitches to close a head wound.
Garty, Renata and Bowers-Rakatau were suspended from duty for about a month but have returned to work on duties where they are not allowed to interact with the public.
Policemen deny assault charges
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