NSW police officer stabbed twice in the head in CBD, alleged attacker charged

The identity of a police officer who chased his alleged attacker after being stabbed in the head has been revealed. The constable has been praised for his courage, as charges are laid over the incident.

A police officer who was stabbed twice in the head while on traffic duties has been praised for his bravery after chasing his alleged assailant despite his injuries.

Okan Ozcan, a 34-year-old man, has been charged after he allegedly stabbed the constable from behind in Sydney’s CBD.

He did not appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Monday as he faced a single charge of wounding or causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder.

The police officer, Constable Elvis Poa, was stabbed two to three times in the head by a man armed with a kitchen-style knife around 30cm long. His skull was fractured twice in the attack.

“We will allege about 1.10pm yesterday afternoon ... an unprovoked attack occurred where an officer was struck from behind by an offender currently charged before the court,” Commissioner Karen Webb said.

Injured police officer Elvis Poa. Picture: NSW Police

The man accused of stabbing a police officer seen on the ground after being arrested. Picture: TNV

“However, we will allege that he was in possession of a knife and stabbed the officer in the back of the head at least two times, causing two skull fractures.”

Constable Poa is currently in St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, where his injuries are non-life threatening.

Both Commissioner Webb and Police Minister Yasmin Catley praised the bravery of officers involved.

“I think it’s amazing that they had their wits about them, to chase that offender... I’m very proud of the actions of all officers involved,” Commissioner Webb said.

Ms Catley added she “was shocked”.

“To think that here we had a police officer doing his job going about his business like he does, day in, day out, and a person has come up behind him and for no apparent reason, stabbed him twice.

“(Our police are) running towards danger when everyone else is running away from danger, and (when) you get a situation like this, like it is unacceptable,” she said.

She added she had spoken to Mr Poa and he had been “very humble”, answering that he had chased the alleged offender after he stabbed him “because that’s what I was trained to do”.

The injured police officer was treated by colleagues at the scene. Picture: TNV

Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman said the alleged attacker struck while the constable was monitoring traffic with a female officer on the corner of Park and Castlereagh streets.

He was then chased by both officers, tasered and arrested next to Hyde Park on the corner of Bathurst Street and Elizabeth Street.

“He still had the knife in his grip, and was demanding that police shoot him,” Superintendent Fileman said on Sunday.

The alleged attack occurred shortly after 1.15pm on Sunday, with dramatic vision shot immediately after the incident showing a barefoot man handcuffed and surrounded by more than 10 police officers and paramedics.

Metres away the injured police officer could be seen being bandaged by one of his colleagues.

A witness to the stabbing said he “heard a lot of sirens” before seeing the alleged attacker “on the ground” … and “a lot of cops pretty much on top of him.”

On Monday, Deputy Premier Prue Car told Channel 7’s Sunrise, the officer was in a stable condition, while praising his courage.

“I just want to say on behalf the government to this officer, (it was) just incredible, brave stuff that we saw,” she said.

“He actually ran towards the (alleged) offender while he was waiting for other officers to come to his aid.

“That’s the training and the bravery of our NSW police officers, (it is) is second to none.”

NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car praised the officer. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Police will allege in court Ozcan, 34, threatened the officer with the knife in the moments before the stabbing. He was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for assessment.

Upon being released from hospital early on Monday, Ozcan was taken to Day Street Police Station and charged with cause wounding/grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder.

Police established a crime scene in the CBD following the stabbing. Picture: TNV

Ms Catley condemned the attack.

“My thoughts are with the injured officer and the entire police family following this shocking attack,” she said.

“This officer was simply doing his job on a busy Sunday in Sydney city.

“Police work tirelessly and selflessly to serve and protect our community. They should never be met with violence.

“I can’t express my gratitude for the work they do and the dangers they face strongly enough. We should all thank them, every day.”

Mr Ozcan’s lawyer told Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund the 34-year-old would not be applying for release on bail, with the matter instead set to return to court on July 9.

The alleged attacker was surrounded by police before being taken to a hospital. Picture: TNV

The attack is the latest high profile stabbing in Sydney in a matter of weeks.

On April 13, 40 year old Joel Cauchi stabbed and killed six people and injured another twelve at Westfield Bondi Junction, before he was shot dead by police.

Days later the Sydney Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was stabbed in the eye during a lifestreamed church service at the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley.

A 16 year old has been charged with terrorism offences over that attack.

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