Police officer assaulted during traffic stop

A man is facing charges after a Comox Valley police officer was assaulted.

It happened just after midnight Feb. 21 during a traffic stop near Crown Isle in Courtenay.

The officer suspected that the driver may have been drunk.

Police say the driver became confrontational, pushed and then hit the officer in the face before fleeing on foot. 

Other officers were called to help, including Police Service Dog Hammer.

Const. Monika Terragni said Hammer tracked down the suspect running through the Crown Isle Golf course, areas under construction, and through backyards. 

Hammer found the suspect in some bushes next to a home on Majestic Drive.

The police officer had minor injuries.

Gabriel Ocampo has been charged with assaulting a police officer, obstructing a police officer, refuse to provide a breath sample, driving while prohibited, and breach of probation.