New South Wales police officer Alex Christian says he is questioning his career choice after the man who bit him during an arrest was given a community corrections order.
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He is calling for a change to the law so officers don't have to endure months of uncertainty when they are bitten or scratched.
The police officer says he knows violence and assault come with the territory, but he is "sick of hearing politicians say police aren't punching bags and then not doing anything about it".
Senior Constable Christian, a Police Association NSW representative and an officer for seven years, was bitten on the right bicep while arresting Khattar early on Sunday, March 10 at Bathurst's Oxford Hotel.
The Orange court heard Khattar also kneed officers.
Minister for Police David Elliott said any assault on a police officer is a "low act" and the Crimes Act "includes several offences for assaulting police officers which attract penalties of up to 14 years behind bars".
But Sen Const Christian has been disappointed by the result of Khattar's case.
"It's demoralising and it leaves me questioning my career choice," he said.
After the incident, Senior Constable Christian went to hospital and had the bite wound cleaned. He had a blood test taken for transmittable diseases, but it will be some time until he is cleared.
"Why should I have to sit around for six months to find out whether or not I have a life-altering disease?" he said.
"We need laws that allow us to blood-test offenders who bite and scratch and spit at arrest. We take the offender into custody and then get a blood test at the closest medical facility."
The Minister for Police said there is an option for laws to be changed.
"The door to reform is never closed and any government should be open to reviewing its laws if they do not align with community expectations," he said.
The Police Association NSW and Senior Constable Christian are campaigning to get the change made.
"PANSW is very active in introducing legislation. They've been pushing quite some time," he said.
"Apparently the legislation is there, we're just waiting for the politicians to pull the trigger.
"It's like the government are placing the rights of the offender over the welfare of the emergency services personnel."
