A verbal exchange between a Vietnamese man and Garden Grove police is following a physical altercation in which each side accused the other of assault.

The incident took place on Oct. 28 when police made a traffic stop of Mong Kim Tran, 78, in the area of Garden Grove Boulevard at Palm Avenue.

Police say that Tran “became agitated” and was not cooperative. He allegedly “took a fighting stance” and ended up punching and kicking the officer twice before he was subdued and handcuffed.

But Tran’s relatives countered that Tran knows little English and his actions were misunderstood by police. They suggested that Tran’s getting out of the car and moving toward the officer was interpreted as an intention to attack the patrolman.

Tran, who suffered some scrapes in the altercation, was taken first to a local hospital, then released. He was cited for speeding and will face charges of assault and battery on a police officer.