A 40-year-old man is accused of punching on officer in the face and turning on the other when they tried to give him a lift home in the early hours of Monday morning.

Oxley Detective Acting Inspector Jason Darcy told the Leader it was a "disgusting attack", and "a pretty low act."

"These officers were acting in good faith, and tried to ensure this intoxicated man got home safely," he said.

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"We will allege that when they opened the back door of the police truck he set upon two officers, it's a pretty low act.

"There is zero tolerance for attacks on police who are going about their work."

The police had been called to the service station on Marius Street after reports a drunk man was causing a disturbance at the scene, at about 1.15am.

Officers spoke with the man and gave him a lift home.

When they arrived at his house and opened the caged truck, he allegedly turned on them, jumping out and punching a leading senior constable in the face.

Police further allege the man then resisted and struggled with officers, who were forced to deploy OC spray.

He was eventually subdued and arrested.

Paramedics treated the injured officer for minor injuries, while the second officer was also treated after being exposed to capsicum spray.

The man is facing charges of assaulting police causing actual bodily hard; two counts of resisting police; and possessing a prohibited drug.

He has been ordered to front court in Tamworth in August.