A senior constable on trial for family violence charges said he went to a police station the day after a final argument with his wife which became violent, and "asked for help".
He claimed she became violent towards him and he was trying to restrain her, while giving evidence today at Auckland District Court.
"I was trying to restrain her...and I was fearful for how [my son] and I were exposed to this," he said.
A protection order was served on her without notice and that was effectively the end of their seven-year marriage, the jury heard.
The police officer, who has name suppression, denies six charges relating to family violence and child cruelty against his former wife and her son, some dating back 18 years.