Several witnesses said Sims called the officers "racist bastards."

"Why did I call them a racist bastard? Becausehe put his hands on me and threw me out, "Simssaid.

Witnesses said they saw between six and eightofficers and four squad cars at the scene. At onepoint, the police officers were surrounded by acrowd of 40 bystanders who questioned them about aracial motive behind the arrest, witnesses said.At 2:10 a.m., Sims was placed in the CPD paddywagon and driven to department headquarters at 5Western Ave.

Officers booked him on charges of assault,resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Thepolice released him around 3 a.m., Sims said.

Pasquarello defended the action of the CPDofficers, saying they acted within the latitudeaccorded to them by their job.

"Usually, whatever force is necessary toapprehend a suspect, officers will use to effectthe arrest," he said.

Pasquarello said that Sims' actions toward theofficers-which he said included spitting andpushing-justify the charges against him.

Sims faced a Cambridge District Court judgeyesterday morning, but the hearing's result wasnot known. Sims did not comment when contractedlast night