A New Westminster Police Service officer had to be treated for facial lacerations after a man slashed him with a knife on Saturday night.
The officer was responding to a distress call in Queen's Park when he approached the suspect sitting at a picnic table, according to Acting Sgt. Bruce Carrie.
The man, armed with a knife, lunged at the officer suddenly and slashed him across the cheek. The resulting gash required several stitches to close.
Despite being injured, the officer was able to disarm the suspect but was not able to apprehend him. The man ran off in the direction of McBride Boulevard and East Sixth Avenue.
Police are now looking for witnesses or anyone with information that may help identify. the suspect, who is described as a black male, 25 to 30 years old, 6-4 and 250 lbs.
Police say he has a muscular build and black hair, shaved on the sides with a "fade" on the right side of his head.
The man was shirtless at the time of the attack but was wearing green and black camouflage cargo shorts, white socks and white Nike shoes.
Carrie said the officer is back to work already, with a few stitches to show for the incident.
"He's a trooper. He's back to work and doing well. It would be a very traumatic incident," Carrie said Tuesday. "I had a brief conversation with him this morning and he seems to be doing good."
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