Off-duty Sydney police officer assaulted

A Sydney man will face court accused of repeatedly punching an off-duty police officer in the face during an altercation.

It's alleged the men were involved in a verbal exchange at north-suburban Frenchs Forest on Thursday afternoon before the 27-year-old struck the officer several times in the face.

The policeman was taken to Mona Vale Hospital and treated for bruising to his eye and cuts to his arm and elbow.

The accused man has been charged with assaulting a police officer causing actual bodily harm, resisting an officer, trespassing and larceny.

He has been refused bail and will appear in Manly Local Court on Friday.