Man in hospital after hit with Taser by Winnipeg police

It was the latest in a number of confrontations in which city police have said they were forced to fire an electronic stun gun on a suspect who refused to drop a weapon.

"Unfortunately, our members are finding themselves in situations like this more and more often," Const. Jason Michalyshen said.

"If those officers deem that their safety and other people's safety is being jeopardized ... an electronic control device is certainly a tool that members of the police service will deploy."

Police were called to a disturbance at a home early Sunday and encountered a 42-year-old male suspect who refused to put down a knife, Michalyshen said.

The suspect was shot with a Taser and fell backwards, hitting his head on the sidewalk, he said. The man was taken to hospital in critical condition, but has since been upgraded to stable.

Winnipeg police have faced criticism this summer over how they've responded to situations.

Michael Langan, 17, died after being Tasered in July. Police said that he, too, refused to drop a knife. On Aug. 2, an officer fatally shot Craig McDougall, 26, with a gun after officers said he refused repeated demands to drop a knife.

McDougall's death prompted native leaders to call for a public inquiry into how the Winnipeg Police Service deals with aboriginals. Manitoba Attorney General Dave Chomiak rejected that demand, saying each death would be subject to a judicial inquest under provincial law.