Detective Capt. Robert Rowan said Officer Charles Kling, assisted by Wilfredo Ramirez, responded to Paulison Avenue on a report of an intoxicated driver. At the scene the officers found David Patti, 22, of Clifton, sitting on the ground near his car and approached him. When Kling asked for his name, Rowan said Patti spit on him. When the officers attempted to place Patti under arrest for throwing a bodily fluid at a police officer, Patti put up a struggle, Rowan said.

The officers searched Patti and found a bag containing a white powder that turned out to be crack cocaine as well as three prescription pills in a vile without a label, Rowan said. Patti was arrested and taken to police headquarters where he hit Kling in the eye as he was being placed in a jail cell, Rowan said.

Patti was charged with throwing bodily fluid at an officer, aggravated assault to a police officer, possession of prescription medication without a prescription, and possession of crack cocaine.

The officer was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for a torn cornea.