AKRON, Ohio -- An Akron police officer accused of flashing his gun and badge during a drunken brawl outside of a Lakewood bar threatened to kill two men involved in the fight if they ever came to Akron, according to police.

Karl Lessman, 24, pleaded not guilty to a first-degree misdemeanor charge of using weapons while intoxicated and disorderly conduct in Lakewood Municipal Court. His next hearing is scheduled for March 19.

Lessman has been an Akron police officer for close to four months and had finished training in November. He was placed on paid restricted duty working a 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. shift in the communications room after his arrest, according to his personnel file.

The arrest spurred an investigation by the Akron police's internal affairs. Akron Police Chief James Nice will ultimately decide whether to discipline Lessman.

The Lakewood police report obtained by Northeast Ohio Media Group says Lessman and his brother got into an argument with two 25-year-old men in the early morning of Jan. 25 at the Around the Corner Bar.

The two 25 year olds left the bar. Lessman and his brother followed.

The group fought at the intersection of Matthews and Detroit avenues, with everyone throwing a few punches but no one getting hurt. Lakewood police arrived and found the four men in the middle of the road and noted Lessman and his brother appeared more drunk than the other two.

Lessman, who once worked for Lakewood police as a dispatcher from 2011 to 2014, "was difficult to calm down," according to the police report. He insisted that the responding officers knew him and that he did nothing wrong.

One of the 25-year-old men asked Lakewood officers what they planned to do about Lessman flashing his gun and Akron police badge.

The man then told Lakewood police that Lessman "told him that he better not come down to Akron or he would kill him," according to the police report.

One of the men told police they didn't want to press charges because he didn't want Lessman to get in trouble or fired. The other man 25 year old said "We should hang them!" the police report says.

Lakewood police tried to stop the Lessman brothers as they walked away from the scene of the squabble. Lessman refused to stop and walked to his car. Lakewood police found him sitting halfway in his car grabbing near his ankle.

Officers ordered Lessman put his hands up. He was placed in handcuffs. Officers found his ankle holster empty and asked where Lessman put his gun. Lessman refused to answer.

The officer found a 9mm pistol beneath the driver's seat. They also found an police-issued pistol in Lessman's duty belt, his Akron police jacket and hat in the trunk. Both guns were loaded, according to the police report.

Lessman then told the officers that he was sorry and asked to talk to the two 25 year olds. Lakewood police told him it was too late for that and took him into custody.