An 18-year-old was arrested just before midnight on Thursday and charged with wilful damage, assault and assaulting an officer, after a fracas outside Starters Bar in Frederick St.
''Any assault on police is one too many and we take a dim view of individuals who take violence to people doing their jobs,'' Southern district commander Superintendent Andrew Coster said yesterday.
''It's cowardly of anybody to take their aggression out on police who are simply trying to do their job.''
The officer sustained facial bruising and spent yesterday recovering at home.
She was taken to Dunedin Hospital to be assessed after the attack.
A Campus Watch staff member was also allegedly assaulted during the scuffle.
''The university can confirm a Campus Watch staff member was assaulted by an 18-year-old male while attempting to calm down a situation outside Starters Bar at around midnight,'' a statement from the University of Otago said.
''The Campus Watch member and a colleague had been undertaking a foot patrol in the vicinity when they were alerted to a disturbance. We understand the arrested individual may be a student.
''While being highly distressed that a university staff member has been assaulted, we are greatly relieved that the staff member only suffered minor injuries that included soreness and swelling around the eye. He will likely reassume his nightshift duties this evening.''
The 18-year-old man would face sanction under the university's Student Code of Conduct, the statement said.
The owner of Starters Bar, who did not wish to be named, said she was alerted to the dispute by flashing lights.
The man had apparently had a dispute with his girlfriend before attacking Campus Watch staff and then police, she said.
As a result of the incident, a window at the bar was smashed.
It was unclear if the man had been drinking in the bar before the assaults, she said.
''All too often, alcohol causes people to do things they normally wouldn't,'' Supt Coster said.
''If we want to get traction, then the issue with alcohol needs to be addressed.''
The 18-year-old was bailed to appear in court on Tuesday on the three charges.
