A highly intoxicated and combative man was pepper sprayed after allegedly spitting in the face of a Saanich police officer Tuesday evening.

Police were called to Gorge Park, at Tillicum and Gorge roads, around 5:25 p.m., after receiving reports of a man who appeared to be in distress.

When officers arrived, they found the man to be drunk. He was spitting and yelling obscenities, said Staff Sgt. Mike Barkley.

"In the attempt to arrest him, in a state of intoxication (the man) attempted to kick the officers and spat into the face of one of the officers," Barkley said.

The officer deployed his pepper spray. With the help of three other officers, police were able arrest the man.

"He was combative throughout the whole process, until he sobered up (Wednesday) morning," Barkley said.

The 31-year-old apparently didn't remember the incident when questioned the next day.

He was expected to appear in court Wednesday for charges of assaulting a police officers.

kslavin@saanichnews.com