The mayor of Noumea says the arming of New Caledonia's municipal police is overdue.
Noumea municipal police facade Photo: RNZ
Sonia Lagarde made the comment after three policemen were assaulted by five men on Saturday afternoon.
The local paper reports that the policemen asked a driver to stop blocking a parked car when he and his passengers stepped out to punch and kick the officers.
Three of the attackers were arrested and will be held in custody until their case will go to a trial in two months.
There has been a sharp increase in the number of attacks on police in New Caledonia in recent years, with 35 cases registered last year.
