Medford Man Punched Somerville Cop In Face: Police

SOMERVILLE, MA — A Medford man was arrested last week after punching a Somerville police officer in the face, police said. Reginal Joseph, 22, went to the Somerville police station Aug. 28 to dispute a citation he received the previous day.

The officer who issued the citation was at the station and explained the appeal process to Joseph, police said. Joseph then spoke with a sergeant, who explained that he had to argue the citation in court, according to the police report.

Joseph grabbed the sergeant by the shoulder, police said. When he was asked to leave the station, he became "violent and tumultuous" and had to be escorted out, the report stated. As officers walked him out of the station, Joseph turned and punched the sergeant in the face, knocking off his glasses, police said.

Officers pulled Joseph to the ground, where he resisted their commands to put his hands behind his back, according to police. Officers hit Joseph in the face twice and pepper sprayed him to bring him under control, police said.

Joseph was charged with resisting arrest, assault and battery on a police officer and disorderly conduct.