Honolulu City Councilman Tom Berg denies being drunk but doesn’t dispute a police report that says he became argumentative and combative with Secret Service agents at a Nov. 12 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation reception.

Berg had been invited to the event at the Hale Koa Hotel, but left without his cellphone and was stopped when he tried to go back in to get it.

Police said the West Oahu councilman was intoxicated, emitted a strong odor of alcohol from his mouth and clothes, had bloodshot, watery eyes and was "extremely argumentative and irrational," insisting that as a councilman he had the right to enter the area.

Secret Service agents at the Fort DeRussy Army Museum security checkpoint near the Hale Koa called police at 10:15 p.m. for assistance with an intoxicated male, according to the police report, released Wednesday.

When denied access because he lacked the proper credentials, Berg became "verbally combative and refused to leave the checkpoint or wait till the safe zone was cleared for access," the report said.

In a telephone interview, Berg said the Secret Service agents "pushed his buttons," adding, "They were laughing and snickering at me like I was a nut."

Berg said they told him, "You were never here" because he had no credentials and was not on their list. Berg said he left his invitation under his seat along with his phone.

When police arrived, a Secret Service agent appeared to be trying to calm down Berg, who was yelling at another agent inside the checkpoint, "calling him a liar," the police report said. Berg "continued to be loud and was demanding entrance."

He continued to argue with agents, demanding they be immediately fired or he would file complaints against everyone, police said.

At one point, Berg said, he challenged the agents to "put me in handcuffs, or put a gun to my head" to assure themselves that he was not a threat if they escorted him inside.

Berg claims he requested Secret Service agents call police to intervene and verify who he was.

Police ultimately escorted Berg to the Hale Koa, where his cellphone was found at the front desk and returned. Police then escorted him off the property and called him a cab.

Police did not arrest Berg, but police filed an incident report, and the encounter was recorded by a police sergeant’s helmet camera.

In Washington, D.C., Secret Service spokesman Max Milien offered few details.

"We simply helped him look for his cellphone," he said, referring any further questions to police.

Berg said the APEC incident was an isolated one and he has agreed to heed "the critique and criticism on how to improve my delivery."

He also vowed he won’t be combative with fellow council members and will stick to drinking Shirley Temples, a nonalcoholic drink.

"I have to find a delivery where I don’t yell, don’t make faces," he said.

Berg is also the subject of a complaint by Councilman Breene Harimoto, who wrote Council Chairman Ernie Martin, saying Berg’s "inappropriate and disruptive behavior is escalating in frequency and intensity."

Harimoto added, "His outbursts, verbal tirades, inability to stay on the topic of discussion and argumentative and aggressive behavior are serious concerns."

Harimoto, who also referred to the Nov. 12 APEC incident, requested Berg be removed as a voting member of all City Council committees and told Martin that neighborhood board and audience members say they feel threatened by and are fearful of Berg.

Berg was captured by TV cameras at the Nov. 17 Waipahu Neighborhood Board meeting when police were called to maintain order after Berg became argumentative and disruptive. The board chairman said an elected public official is expected to behave in a professional and dignified manner and "cannot just walk into a meeting and expect to be heard nor behave very unprofessional, undignified, immature."

Martin issued a written statement saying: "I understand the concerns raised by Councilmember Tom Berg’s recent behavior in public. I have reviewed the complaints against him and strongly cautioned him to be more mindful and respectful of all audiences.

"But to reprimand Councilman Berg in the manner that is being suggested would deprive the residents of District 1 of representation on the City Council," he said. "There are a number of legislative issues of critical importance to his community and I believe his constituents are entitled to a voice in the decision-making."

Berg accused Harimoto of "trying to character-assassinate me."

Martin told him his passion and frustration were "over the edge" and need to be toned down, Berg said.

The former legislative office manager maintains he is passionate because he wants to bring attention to problems in District 1.

Berg said he views himself as a regular person and not as a part of the establishment, but said he acknowledges the need to exercise a level of restraint.