Two men in western Sydney have allegedly assaulted two police officers who requested they wear a mask while in a shopping centre.
The men were at the Wetherill Park shopping centre on Thursday night when they were approached by officers and told to wear a mask.
Police allege the pair became aggressive and argued with the officers, and resisted arrest when officers attempted to restrain them.
One officer sustained minor injuries.
The men, aged 51 and 39, were arrested and charged with police assault, resisting arrest and failing to follow NSW public health orders.
They have been bailed to face Fairfield Local Court on February 8.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard told reporters that declining to wear a mask amid the COVID-19 pandemic was "arrogant, selfish and actually dopey."
Premier Gladys Berejiklian also said the incident was disappointing.
"I stress the vast majority of people are doing the right thing and respecting the restrictions, but it is so disappointing when disrespect is shown or worse to police officers or anyone else working in the system to keep all of us safe," Ms Berejiklian told reporters on Friday.
In a separate incident this week, a 25-year-old man allegedly assaulted a Windsor shopping centre security guard and stabbed a member of the public after an associate was asked to wear a mask.
That man remains before the courts.
Australian Associated Press
