Man seriously injured in arrest after allegedly removing handcuffs, biting officers

A dramatic arrest in which a 23-year-old Central Coast man was pepper-sprayed in the back of a police vehicle, having allegedly escaped two sets of handcuffs and violently assaulted officers, will become the subject of an internal investigation after the detainee was hospitalised with serious injuries this week.

Tuggerah Lakes officers' handling of the incident sparked the review after the man was transferred from Wyong to Gosford hospital in a deteriorating condition on Friday, police said in a statement.

Officers arrived at a unit on Hargraves Street at Toukley about 7.20am on Monday, June 8, and attempted to arrest the man.

He allegedly resisted and removed a pair of handcuffs, before he was restrained with a second pair.

Police said he assaulted officers and refused to get into their vehicle at the scene, before being forcibly placed inside and taken to Wyong police station.

Officers allege he removed the second pair of handcuffs, and was then refusing to get out of the vehicle when they arrived at the station.

He was spoken to, but police allege he tried to assault officers again, was subdued with pepper spray, and forcibly removed from the car.

The alleged assault continued at the station, prompting calls for paramedics, before the man was taken to Wyong hospital under police guard.

Police said he then tried to bite one of the officers before being seen for treatment of several injuries.

Two officers were also seen for minor injuries.

The man's condition reportedly deteriorated through the week, police said, and he was transferred to Gosford hospital with significant injuries on Friday, June 12.

Newcastle police have been tasked with reviewing the matter as part of a critical incident investigation, and had started their inquiries at the weekend, a spokesperson for the force said.

The investigation will be independently reviewed by the Professional Standards Command with oversight by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.