One of the policemen allegedly punched in the head after intervening in a minor domestic argument in Dunedin on Saturday night says the incident highlights the unpredictability officers and their families have to live with.
Senior Sergeant Steve Aitken said he and Constable Peter Bevin suffered mild concussion, cuts, bruising and scratches.
What appeared to be a minor incident in David St, Caversham, escalated into violence.
Snr Sgt Aitken said he and Const Bevin drove past a couple apparently arguing about 11.50pm.
They stopped to see if the woman was alright.
The pair appeared to be affected by alcohol.
Although there was no physical violence, when the officers stepped in to separate the couple, the man allegedly started punching the policemen.
The woman joined in and, at one stage, a third person joined them.
During the episode, Snr Sgt Aitken's glasses were smashed, he was kicked and allegedly bitten by the woman.
Both officers were punched about the head multiple times.
The alleged assault continued for several minutes before the policemen were able to radio for assistance.
Snr Sgt Aitken said the incident showed the unpredictable nature of the job, where what seemed like nothing, could escalate into something very quickly.
"It is also frustrating to have someone you have stopped to help turn on you."
Policing was the sort of job where you knew there was potential for being assaulted, but it was not something you came to work expecting to happen.
He was not scared during the attack, although became nervous when one of the men went into a nearby house because he did not know what the man might bring back out.
The incidents were probably more distressing to the wives and families of officers who were assaulted, than the officers themselves, he said.
The officers were sent home early from work that night and will return to night shift later in the week.
Three people, including the woman the officers stopped to assist, will appear in the Dunedin District Court this week on charges, including assault, threatening to kill, obstructing police and resisting arrest.
The Government plans to introduce legislation this month to make assaulting a law enforcement officer an aggravating factor to be considered by judges at sentencing, although criminal law professor Kevin Dawkins, of Otago University, told Radio New Zealand last month courts have commonly regarded assaults on police officers or other law enforcement officers as an aggravating circumstance.
