A rookie police officer is recovering in hospital after he was allegedly stabbed with a 50cm sword during a horrifying attack in Sydney‘s south-west on Friday night.
The 28-year-old probationary constable, who had only recently joined the NSW Police Force, was among four officers dispatched to a property on Werombi Road in Grasmere around 5:20pm on Friday.
The team, including another new officer and two senior constables, responded to reports of a breach of an apprehended violence order and were conducting a routine welfare check.
Police allege a 20-year-old man launched a violent and frenzied attack on the officers, first throwing a spear before charging at one of them with a sword.
Superintendent Paul Condon said officers used several tactical options, including a taser and OC spray, but none were successful in subduing the suspect.
Moments later, the man allegedly stabbed the young officer in the leg with the sword, inflicting a deep 20cm gash to his upper right thigh.
The rookie’s fellow officers gave him life-saving first aid.
Superintendent Condon revealed that they applied tourniquets in an effort to stem the bleeding.
The young officer was airlifted to Liverpool Hospital on Friday after he was stabbed
The injured constable was then treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance.
He was then airlifted to Liverpool Hospital in a serious but stable condition, where he is awaiting surgery.
Superintendent Condon said the incident could have ended in tragedy if not for the quick thinking and bravery of the officers involved.
He revealed he had watched the body-worn camera footage and labelled it extremely distressing.
‘Police are confronted day in, day out by violent situations like this. It escalated extremely quickly and again I commend my officers for what they’ve done,’ he said.
He praised the actions of all four officers, saying they were ‘incredibly brave’.
Detectives seized a knife, hatchet and spear from the scene.
The 20-year-old man, who was known to police and had previously been armed, was arrested after being tasered and taken into custody.
The 28-year-old is still in hospital recovering from the incident, where he is awaiting surgery
Superintendent Paul Condon (pictured) praised the quick thinking of the officers at the scene
He has since been charged with 11 offences, including two counts of attempted murder, four counts of wounding with intent to resist arrest, and wounding a police officer in the line of duty.
Additional charges include using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, resisting police, breaching bail conditions, and contravening an apprehended violence order.
The accused was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Saturday.
