South Euclid police officer Dionne Moton thought she was going on a simple disturbance call, but the situation quickly escalated, and she was assaulted by the suspect .
The entire incident was captured on officer Moton's police body camera.
South Euclid police later confirmed the suspect suffers from a mental illness, and that officer Moton acted properly in making the arrest.
The arrest made without incident after Moton was stuck multiple times in the face.
South Euclid officer Joe Di Lillo told newsnet5.com officer Moton showed great restraint and exhibited the benefits of proper police training.
"Any second, any moment any type of call can change," said Di Lillo. "Even while investigating such a minor call like that."
"Despite being struck in the face, I think officer Moton did a great job in maintaining her composure."
We showed the video of the incident to Cleveland State Professor Ronnie Dunn, who is an expert on community policing.
Dunn was also appointed to the Ohio Collabrative Police Advisor Board by Ohio's Governor.
Dunn said officer Moton did an excellent job, and is further evidence that Critical Intervention Training needs to continue to be increased for police officer statewide, when it comes to dealing with those who have a mental illness.
"We can't have a great enough sense of urgency about implementing these types of trainings," said Dunn. "The bias free policing, implicit bias, all of these are essential trainings."
The suspect will likely face a charge of felony assault on a police officer, and will be indicted by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor.
