TV SOAP star Heather Locklear has been arrested for domestic violence and assaulting a police officer.

According to the New York Post, police responded to a call about domestic violence at the actress' Los Angeles home, and during the arrest, the 56-year-old Melrose Place and Dynasty alum allegedly became combative, allegedly attacking a police officer, gossip website TMZ reported.

The Daily Mail reported that the police were called to break up a fight between Locklear and her boyfriend Chris Heisser. When they arrived they noticed a mark on Heisser’s body and decided to take the actress into custody for domestic violence.

As they were trying to handcuff her, Locklear allegedly kicked and struck three police officers, according to the Daily Mail.

Locklear was taken to a hospital for evaluation, then booked into jail around 1am (8pm AEDT). She was released on $US20,000 ($25,000) bail around 6am (1am AEDT).

According to the Daily Mail her boyfriend was also booked, but on charges unknown. He was also released Monday morning.

The incident occurred at 10pm (5pm AEDT) at a house in Thousand Oaks, California, which is an affluent city approximately 60 kilometres from Los Angeles.

Locklear has struggled with substance abuse in the past, most recently returning to rehab for a fifth time last year. In 2008 she was arrested for driving under the influence of a controlled substance whilein the Santa Barbara, California area.

She was married to Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee from 1986 to 1993 and Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora from 1994 to 2007.

This article first appeared in the New York Post and is republished with permission.