taking a slice out of crime

Here's a story that defies any rational explanation (no, it's not another piece about Bush). A Chicago man cut off his own penis and threw it at police officers.

It seems like there should be a joke here, but I'm at a loss, this is just too weird. What do you think the look on the police officers' faces was like? Does the Police Academy train you for things like that? How do you threaten someone who's willing to cut his own penis off?!