A man has been arrested after seriously assaulting a police officer in Port Augusta.
It will be alleged that about 10.40am today (Saturday 21 December), police were called to a house in High Street after reports of a domestic disturbance.
When two officers arrived, a man confronted the patrol and struck a female officer in the left arm with a sword.
Capsicum spray was deployed to subdue the man while other patrols were called to the scene.
The officer was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital for treatment. She will be airlifted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital because of the nature of her injuries.
A 30-year-old Port Augusta man has been arrested and will face numerous charges including assaulting a prescribed emergency worker.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said while any attack on a police officer was abhorrent, the violent nature of this incident had shocked police.
"Policing is an inherently dangerous occupation because of the nature of some incidents officers are called to, but an incident of this nature highlights the risk police face on a daily basis serving the community,'' he said.
"Thankfully the officer's injuries are not life-threatening and measures are being taken to fully support her and her family.
"All police officers and the community will be paying particular interest as this matter progresses through the court system.
"Under the Criminal Law Consolidation Act the penalty for assaulting a prescribed emergency services worker is a maximum prison sentence of 15 years. Every police officer will be watching to see what penalty is applied if there is a finding of guilt.''
