The parents of two children say that their kids were treated differently by Steelton police because of their color - and that their 11-year-old son was tackled by officers for no reason.

But the police report paints a different picture.

Theresa Watson said her son is the victim of excessive force by Steelton police.

"They took my son, pushed him to the ground - well, kind of threw him down to the ground, and put their knee in his back," Watson said. "And they put handcuffs on him."

It began when a group of neighborhood kids started arguing on North Second Street on Sunday. Police were called, and three juveniles were taken into custody - Watson's son and her 14-year-old daughter, as well as another teen who is white.

Both Watson and police agree that's how the incident began, but what happened next depends on who you talk to.

Watson said officers tackled her son and wrestled him to the ground, and that he was targeted because of his race. But the police report says Watson's son was tackled because he jumped on an officer's back as his sister was being handcuffed.

The chief wouldn't comment, saying this is a pending court case.

Witnesses told a different story than the police report, however.

One witness said that there was no physical contact on the part of the boy. Another witness said that all three officers jumped on him at once and handled him like he was an adult.

Neighbors and witnesses said the incident is part of a bigger problem. In November, Steelton residents met with NAACP (web|news) leaders to complain about mistreatment by certain officers. Those complaints were handed over to the Dauphin County District Attorney, and an investigation found no criminal wrongdoing.

Watson has met with the NAACP and plans to file a complaint, which will be turned over to the district attorney, and neighbors want to discuss the matter with borough council.

Watson said she is also filing a formal complaint with Steelton police.

The district attorney's office recently investigated another allegation of excessive force by one of the same officers involved in this case. The complaint came in about two weeks ago, and the district attorney said that nothing criminal was found.