New Caledonia's government has denounced the recurring attacks against police officers as unacceptable violence.
French police officers in New Caledonia. Photo: AFP
In a statement, the acting president Philippe Germain said he condemned last Friday's incident near Noumea when an underage driver used a stolen vehicle to seriously injure an officer at a routine road checkpoint.
Mr Germain said last year New Caledonia saw eight times more attacks with firearms on police than mainland France.
He said half of armed attacks on the police in French overseas territories were recorded in New Caledonia.
Meanwhile, a man has been arrested in Ouvea for firing two gun shots at police trying to intervene in a dispute.
In court, the gunman apologised to the police, blaming his action on alcohol and cannabis.