A Dunedin police officer suffered facial lacerations when he was kicked and punched in the head on Tuesday night.
Police were called to a domestic dispute at a St Kilda property to serve a police safety order, which is designed to give parties involved in family violence a cooling-off period.
While a male officer was trying to issue the notice to a man at the property, the man allegedly punched the officer in the face.
The officer was also kicked in the face twice when putting the man in the back of a police car, Senior Sergeant Steve Aitken said.
The officer suffered cuts to his cheek and forehead. His injuries were treated and he returned to work yesterday.
A 32-year-old man was charged with resisting police and assault with intent to injure. He was released on bail following an appearance in the Dunedin District Court yesterday.
Snr Sgt Aitken said it was disappointing an officer had been seriously assaulted for "doing his job".
When a police safety order is issued, the named person must leave the address for up to five days, even if they own the address and/or normally live there.
