PORTLAND – An Auburn man has filed a lawsuit against Lewiston police claiming they used excessive force during an arrest two years ago.

In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Portland, Gerald Burns says police tackled him for no reason and without warning while he stood on the porch of the Lewiston home where he lived at the time.

Burns, who claims he suffered permanent damage to his right knee, is seeking unspecified damages against two Lewiston officers, Police Chief William Welch and the city of Lewiston.

An attorney representing police says Burns was interfering with the investigation of an alleged assault on the girlfriend of Burns’ son.

Police say they ordered Burns to stand by the police cruiser and let them interview the woman, but that he resisted. That’s when he was tackled and put in handcuffs.