The 32-year-old constable, who has interim name suppression, was released from Oamaru Hospital yesterday.
He was admitted for observation on Sunday night with facial, elbow and knee injuries after he was knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked after a young motorist failed a breath test.
Police said the constable, who suffered bruising, grazing, swelling and a cut to his eye, was saved from more serious injury by his stab-proof body armour.
Oamaru police boss Senior Sergeant Jason McCoy said it was an unprovoked attack and, in a community like Oamaru, the incident was unusual and had a big impact.
At a press conference outside the Oamaru Police Station yesterday, Snr Sgt McCoy said police officers were known to local people in small communities like Oamaru and it was horrific for the community.
He said the constable, who had worked in Oamaru for about two years, seemed in "reasonable spirits".
A 20-year-old self-employed South Canterbury man appeared in the Oamaru District Court yesterday afternoon, charged with aggravated injuring, drink-driving (600mcg), dangerous driving, refusing to accompany police and three counts of resisting police.
He did not enter any pleas and was remanded on bail, with strict conditions including a 7.30pm-7.30am curfew, to reappear on March 3.
He was visibly upset as he stood in the dock.
An 18-year-old Oamaru man, charged with aggravated injuring, and another 18-year-old Oamaru man, charged with theft of a breath-testing device, have been granted registrar's adjournments to reappear on March 3.
Two other people have assisted police with their inquiries.
Snr Sgt McCoy told justice of the peace Anne Hore the 20-year-old defendant had been at the Oamaru wine and food festival on Sunday and had consumed alcohol.
He spoke to police during the festival and seemed "quite friendly" and was enjoying himself with a group of associates.
He then went to a friend's house and took a vehicle, without the owner's permission.
He picked up a group of friends and headed along Thames Highway where he hit the median strip, crossed the road and crashed on the corner of Exe St.
A tyre was deflated and one passenger, fearing for their safety, got out and walked away.
The defendant continued north and was stopped by the constable for a breath test, just north of Stirling St, about 8.10pm.
When he failed the breath-screening test, he refused to accompany the constable for more testing.
He walked off and then turned and charged at the officer.
His friends got out of the vehicle and sat on a wall.
They yelled at the officer to leave the defendant alone.
The defendant came towards the constable in an aggressive manner and was pepper-sprayed.
He walked away but, as the constable was trying to get him to accompany him, turned to the officer and began throwing punches, Snr Sgt McCoy said.
One of his friends joined in the assault, attacking the constable, who was knocked to the ground, then kicked around the body, legs and head.
The officer, fearing injuries to his head, protected his head with his arms.
He requested help on his radio.
While on the ground, one of the defendant's associates stole the officer's's breath-testing device, which had not been recovered.
The defendant ran off through properties and, when located, charged at police, wrestling with them before being handcuffed.
In opposing bail, Snr Sgt McCoy said it was serious offending and imprisonment was a likely outcome.
It was evident from the defendant's previous history that he had an alcohol problem.
Counsel Michael de Buyzer said it was "far from clear" that, if convicted, the defendant would be imprisoned.
He sought interim suppression for the defendant, saying there was a family member who still needed to be told.
Snr Sgt McCoy sought interim suppression of the constable's name so he could "come to grips" with what had happened and inform family members.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Oamaru police on (03) 433 1400.
After an attack on Saturday when a Whangarei policeman had his lip torn off, Reo Rangipohewa Uerata (29) appeared in the Whangarei District Court on six charges, including assault, resisting arrest and disfigurement by grievous bodily harm.
He was also charged with driving while disqualified, refusing to allow police to take a blood specimen, and threatening grievous bodily harm to a second officer.
He is due back in court tomorrow.
