STAB wounds, spinal injuries, broken teeth and muscle damage were some of the injuries sustained by police in the line of duty last year, a new survey reveals.

The nationwide study for Police Review magazine, which questioned 285 police officers across the country, revealed that 14 per cent of those off sick were recovering from injuries sustained at work.

Around 12 per cent were waiting for operations.

The figures reveal officers are off sick an average of 12.2 days a year -- two days more than a government employee.