NSW Premier Chris Minns praises bravery of cop Elvis Poa after alleged Hyde Park stabbing

A man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a NSW Police officer in the head in Sydney’s central business district.

Okan Ozcan, 33, did not appear when his matter was briefly heard at Sydney’s Downing Centre on Monday and an application for bail was not made on his behalf.

Mr Ozcan, a resident of Auburn in Sydney’s west, was barefoot when he was arrested on Sunday after allegedly stabbing constable Elvis Poa who was on traffic duty at the intersection of Park and Castlereagh streets near Hyde Park on Sunday.

Mr Ozcan allegedly stabbed Mr Poa in the head at least twice, fracturing his skull, before fleeing the scene. Mr Poa, suffering head injuries, then pursued Mr Ozcan with a female colleague before running down and tasering his alleged assailant.

Vision of the arrest shows Mr Ozcan barefoot and handcuffed in front of the lawns of Hyde Park surrounded by about 10 officers. Mr Poa is being treated at St Vincent’s Hospital for skull fractures.

Premier Chris Minns said the incident highlighted how difficult and dangerous a job policing was and he hoped to speak with the officer later on Monday.

“The officer involved showed enormous courage,” he told reporters.

“To not only be the victim of an alleged assault but also to apprehend the person who is alleged to have committed the offence.”

Mr Ozcan has been charged with wounding or causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder and possessing two knives in a public place.

Investigators previously said Mr Ozcan was known to police but did not have a history of mental illness recorded on the police database or a “substantial” criminal record.

“Whilst he was in the park, he still had the knife in his hand and he was demanding that police shoot him,” Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman said on Sunday.

“This was very much an isolated incident and there is no further threat to the public,” he said.

WITH AAP