GARRY DUNN: Accused of assault using a police car as a weapon.

A Nelson police officer who drove his patrol car into a cyclist who was not wearing a helmet has been cleared of two counts of assault.

Garry Dunn, 47, denied a charge of assault using a police car as a weapon and another charge of assault when he pepper sprayed Mr Taylor while trying to arrest him in February 2009.

A jury of seven men and five women took three hours to reach its verdicts this afternoon.

SHAUN TAYLOR: Bruised and dazed after being hit by Dunn's police car.

News of the verdicts was greeted with a tearful ''thank-you'' from a female supporter in the public gallery.

The three day trial opened on Monday.

The incident happened after Dunn told Mr Taylor, who was not wearing a cycle helmet, and was riding home around Rocks Rd, to get off his bike and walk.

Mr Taylor admitted he kept riding his bike as he was worried about getting to work on time.

He also he didn't tell Dunn his name and address when Dunn stopped him and asked him.

The Crown contended Dunn used excessive force when he pepper sprayed Mr Taylor when attempting to arrest him.

They said Dunn also used disproportionate force when he drove his patrol car into Mr Taylor's bike in an attempt to stop him escaping.

The defence said Dunn's use of force was legal and reasonable as he was being threatened by Mr Taylor and he never intended to hit his bicycle only block his escape route.

Dunn had been a police officer for nearly 21 years at the time of the incident.