Second attack on police in two weeks | Northland News | Local News in Northland

A Whangarei police officer is nursing a broken nose and a severely bruised face after a brutal attack as he tried to make an arrest and prevent a brawl.

The incident happened outside a  bar on Vine St about 12.30am yesterday.

The attack came just two weeks after suspected drink-driver Reo Rangipohewa Uerata, 29, allegedly bit off an officer's lower lip in Kamo on February 20.

Uerata is to appear again in the Whangarei District Court on Wednesday.

In the latest incident, Whangarei Police Acting Sergeant Jayden King said officers were called to the central city street after reports that a man who had been involved in a fight inside a bar had been taken outside.

He was being aggressive and wanted to fight another group.

Mr King said when officers approached him, his 50-year-old father intervened and allegedly pushed them away.

"Police made a number of attempts to arrest him but his dad kept getting in the way.

"Finally, when a constable  was arresting him, another male came from the side and punched the officer in the face."

The officer suffered a broken nose but other officers stepped in and arrested all three men.

The father and son have been charged with obstruction and disorderly behaviour respectively and were bailed to appear in the Whangarei District Court tomorrow.

Charges of aggravated assault, obstruction, hindering police and disorderly behaviour have been laid against the man who allegedly assaulted the officer.

He was remanded in custody to appear in court this morning.

The latest string of attacks on officers in Whangarei and other parts of the country has prompted the Government to consider beefing up sentences for offenders who attack police. 

Prime Minister John Key has said  harsher penalties might not deter drugged-out offenders, but  would send a clear message.