Winnipeg police officer's tooth broken after getting punched in face

Two Winnipeg police officers were injured after trying to arrest a man they believe was high on meth.

The officers, members of the street crime unit,were patrolling near Maryland Street andElliceAvenue around 1:20 a.m. Fridaywhen they pulled over a taxi cab to speak to a passenger.

The officers believed they saw the passenger,a 38-year-old man, take part in a drug dealfrom the back of the cab.

He was uncooperative and gave officers a fake name, and thenpunched an officer in the face during his arrest, breaking one of the officer's teeth,police said. The other officer was kicked and injured.

As the man fought with the officers, one of them used a Taser to shock him but it was ineffective. Police believe the man was high on meth at the time.

A second shock with the Taser caused the manto fall to the ground where, while fighting the effects ofbeing stunned, he reached into his pants and attempted to toss away a bag containing more than 30 grams of methamphetamine and 1.5 grams of cocaine, police said.

The man is charged with assaulting apeace officer, resisting a peace officer, possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a weapon, carrying a concealed weaponand failure to comply with prior court orders.

Both officers were treated at hospital for their injuries.