A man was arrested when he attacked an Ohio police officer in the lobby of his station last week, and security and body camera footage captured the frantic clash.
The incident happened Thursday, Sept. 14 when a 27-year-old man—later identified as Keishaun Sims—walked into the Youngstown Police Department's lobby and asked the officer working at the front desk to speak with the police chief or "a manager," WKBN-TV reports. After being told he would need to make an appointment, Sims began talking about manifestations, leading the officer to tell Sims that he might be suffering from mental health issues. .
Sims took offense to the officer's suggestion, and told him to make that accusation to his face. That's when the officer got up from behind the front desk to enter the lobby and repeatedly order Sims to leave the station.
“Make me," said Sims, who again tried to goad the officer into commenting about mental state.
“You called me retarded,” he added.
"You're mental," the officer replied.
Sims attacked the officer and knocked him to the ground. The two struggled, and Sims tried to disarm the officer after he drew his weapon.
Finally, more officers arrived to help their colleague. Sims was handcuffed and taken into custody as he insulted officers.
As a precaution, the officer was taken to the hospital.
Following the incident, the department is looking at how its officers handle de-escalation situations. Officials also are considering whether officers need additional training in this area.
