A policewoman was punched in the head and had hair ripped from her scalp after she was set upon during a domestic dispute near Huntly this morning.
The alcohol-fuelled attack has prompted a warning from Western Waikato area commander Inspector Paul Carpenter, who said people who assaulted officers could expect to face the full force of the law.
Mr Carpenter said a male and female officer were attacked at a rural Glen Afton house when they turned up to a serious domestic dispute about 1.30am.
"The male and female officers were set upon by the four occupants of the house, with the female officer receiving a lump to her head from a blow and losing clumps of her hair pulled out of her scalp by a female attacker,'' he said.
The assault ended when the attackers were pepper-sprayed and a taser was pointed at one of the men.
A brother and sister arrested at the house would appear in the Hamilton District Court today charged with assaulting police, resisting arrest, obstruction and threatening to kill.
Mr Carpenter said the assault was concerning because officers only attended domestic incidents after receiving a call for help from a victim or relative.
"For them to be attacked when they arrive is simply not acceptable,'' he said.
Mr Carpenter had contacted both officers today and said both were recovering well.
"Their ability to resolve the situation speaks volumes not only of the quality of the two staff involved, the value of their training and the benefit of having a wide range of tactical options to manage situations.''
Mr Carpenter said with people in close company over the holiday period, particularly during bad weather, it was natural for tensions to build up.
But he urged people to take time out or seek help before things got out of hand.
"There are a large number of organisations people can seek help from and if you fear for your safety contact police.
"What we don't want to see is situations deteriorating to the degree of this morning's situation where not only do loved ones attack one another, but target our staff as well, because it will not be tolerated.''
