If my neighbor or family member had grabbed a cop's collar with the apparent intent to pummel that cop with his other fist while being a drunk idiot, I absolutely would expect that cop to defend himself. If that meant he had to strike the idiot with a flashlight then so be it. If that strike happened to hit the idiot while he squirmed around in the ear, oh well... Lesson learned: DON'T TRY TO FIGHT THE COPS, especially while you are drunk and being otherwise a disorderly IDIOT.