The man arrested after a fleeing vehicle hit a police officer in the Bay of Plenty has been jailed.

Joshua Strickland was sentenced to five years when he appeared via video link before Judge Louis Bidois in Whakatane District Court today.

The 26-year-old was facing three charges of theft, failing to stop, and dangerous driving.

Strickland was arrested following an incident in Awakeri on December 20, where a constable was hit by car fleeing from police.

The officer was laying road spikes in an attempt to stop the fleeing vehicle on Kope Drain Road.

The injured officer was flown to Waikato Hospital with serious leg injuries.

The car was being sought by Police in connection with a petrol drive-off, but the driver failed to stop when instructed to, saids Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander, Kevin Taylor at the time of the incident.