A father-of-four recklessly struck a policeman in the face when he ran from him.
Shomari Kondwani appeared to be acting suspiciously in Lockleaze, Bristol Crown Court heard.
When DC Adfam Choules tried to stop him, Kondwani scarpered - striking the officer with flailing arms in the course of the pursuit.
Kondwani, 30, of Linnell Close in Bristol, initially denied wrongdoing.
But today (January 16) he pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker on February 7 last year.
The Recorder of Bristol His Honour Judge Peter Blair QC handed him 14 weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months.
The judge told him: "It is clear you've done everything you can to try and improve your situation.
"That has substantial weight with me."
Kondwani was ordered to do 80 hours' unpaid work and pay £150 compensation, £150 costs and a £122 victim surcharge.
James Haskell, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court DC Choules, who was in plain clothes, believed some form of offence was taking place as Kondwani emerged from a home in Romney Avenue.
He identified himself as a policeman but Kondwani fled and caught the officer in the process.
The officer sustained a black eye and tenderness to the bridge of his nose.
Sam Jones, defending, told the court his client had two children with a previous partner, and two children and one on the way with his current partner.
Mr Jones said his client was working and had engaged in employment, education and training.
Mr Jones told the court: "Prison would put him back significantly and put at risk that progress which he has made."
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