Police officer injured by patient

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - A police officer was injured on April 8 while assisting Adult Protective Services in Dayton, police said.

Patrolman Michael Kuchma was sent as a precautionary measure to be present when Adult Protective Services evaluated a potential patient. The encounter eventually turned violent and Kuchma was attacked. His knee was injured during the assault.

The patient was brought under control and was transported to Saint Peters Hospital in New Brunswick for an evaluation, according to police. He was charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest.

Kuchma was treated at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick and then released.

"Interacting with emotionally unstable individuals can sometimes be more dangerous because they are more unpredictable," said Sgt. James Stoddard. "Officers receive specialized training in this area. Their role is to protect the safety of the medical professionals and the patient equally, sometimes putting themselves at risk, as a result."