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Riverside Officer, 3 Students Injured During Wild School Skirmish

RIVERSIDE (CBS) — A Riverside policeman and three students were injured Friday during an altercation that broke out when one of the students punched the officer in the face, authorities said.

The clash at Arlington Regional Learning Center, 6511 Arlington Ave., started shortly after noon when a disruptive boy was removed from a classroom by a patrol officer assigned to work security at the school, according to Riverside police Lt. Guy Toussaint.

"While the officer was escorting the student, the student turned and punched the officer in the face," Toussaint said. "Other students came out of their classrooms and became involved in the fight. At that point, the officer got on the radio and started calling for assistance."

According to Toussaint, five to 10 students were combative with the officer, a few of them trying to "wrench" the detained juvenile away from him.

The besieged officer was heard over the radio yelling for "more units" for several minutes. Officers responded from stations throughout the city.

"First-arriving officers formed a skirmish line around the school resource officer, and students retreated into classrooms," Toussaint said.

"The school was placed on lockdown."

The resource officer suffered a cut to his hand and other minor injuries, according to Toussaint. The lawman was transported to Riverside Community Hospital for treatment.

Two students were also sent to the facility for evaluation of unspecified injuries. Another boy was taken to Parkview Community Hospital, according to fire officials.

Toussaint said officers arrested about 10 students on suspicion of battery, disturbing the peace and other allegations.

Enrollment at the continuation school is 168. The 26,000-square-foot facility opened in December 2006 and provides special and "alternative" education to expelled youths, juveniles with criminal backgrounds and other kids with issues, according to Riverside County Office of Education spokesman Rick Peoples.

He said most of the students range from 14 to 18 years old, though there are non-traditional enrollees in their early 20s, too.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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