A VPD constable who intervened in a cab-fare dispute was assaulted Friday night when the passenger spat in his eye.
The officer was working near Cambie Street and West Hastings when flagged over by a cabbie who was transporting an unruly passenger. The female fare had refused to pay for the $9 ride and tried to walk away. When the VPD officer stopped her, she spit in his face.
The woman, a 37-year-old from Vancouver, was taken to jail and faces charges of fraud and assaulting a police officer. The officer sought medical treatment.
So far in 2021, 13 VPD officers have been assaulted while on duty.