Twelve PSNI officers were assaulted during the arrest of one man in Co Armagh in what has been described as a “shameful and unacceptable” weekend of incidents in which police were targeted.
In total, 18 officers were assaulted during three separate arrests in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon area.
None of the officers were seriously injured and were all able to remain on duty.
The incident in which 12 officers were assaulted began when police were called to a domestic incident in Lurgan in the early hours of Saturday.
While being arrested on suspicion of common assault, a man kicked, punched and spat at officers, while also attempting to headbutt them.
A custody sergeant and civilian detention officers were also assaulted at Banbridge Police Station.
Two of the men arrested in the three incidents have been charged, and another released on bail to allow for further investigation.
PSNI Chief Inspector Brendan Green condemned the incidents as “shameful and unacceptable”.
”In what other job would this happen? Our officers and staff are working hard to keep their communities safe and do not deserve this treatment,” he said.
”While we come to work knowing we could be faced with difficult and dangerous situations, it is completely unacceptable that our officers should be assaulted and verbally berated in the most shocking ways for simply doing their jobs.
”Our officers have received welfare support and, thankfully, their injuries were not more serious and they felt well enough to remain on duty. But it highlights our message that all assaults on emergency service workers - be that a nurse, doctor, paramedic or police officer - are serious offences and there are serious consequences.”
