A man turned on Constable Paul Gurney after he was called to Nolan Rd, Okuru, about 8.20pm to deal with a domestic argument.
"During the encounter, Constable Gurney faced several physical threats and his police car sustained damage before he was able to subdue the man with the use of a Taser,'' police said yesterday in a statement.
Realising the seriousness of the situation, Const Gurney called on someone who knew the alleged offender and who agreed to come to his aid.
With no cellphone coverage in South Westland and the nearest police back-up 160km and 90 minutes away at Franz Josef Glacier, the local rural fire party was also called to help contain the situation.
The man was tasered and the member of the public then helped Const Gurney handcuff the man.
Haast chief rural fire officer Kerry Eggeling said up to six volunteers turned out to help.
"He was on his own and we do help out in situations like that,'' Mr Eggeling, who was not available to attend, said.
The Haast community was very supportive of its local policeman and was always ready to help.
He said the incident was not unprecedented.
West Coast acting area commander Inspector Iain McKenzie said the response from Haast community members in coming to the aid of Const Gurney was outstanding.
"Constable Gurney has significant experience as a sole charge officer in remote communities so he certainly knows how to manage these situations,'' Mr McKenzie said.
He "made a good call'' in ensuring he had back-up before approaching the alleged offender.
"The outcome yesterday was a credit to everyone involved and I can't thank those community members enough for their response,'' Mr McKenzie said.
● Grant David Sadler (52) made a brief appearance in the Greymouth District Court yesterday before a justice of the peace.
He faces two charges of assaulting a police officer, one charge of assaulting a female, and one of intentionally damaging a police car.
