Kim Richards -- Arrested In Bev Hills ... Allegedly Drunk, Kicked Police Officer

Kim Richards was arrested at the Beverly Hills Hotel early Thursday morning -- after allegedly going on a drunken rampage and kicking a police officer ... TMZ has learned.

Sources tell us ... Richards had been hanging out at the famous Polo Lounge inside the hotel and was asked to leave because she was too hammered and being "unruly."

We're told Richards went to a bathroom and refused to come out. Cops were called to the scene and we're told they had to "drag her out" of the bathroom.

Richards -- who has struggled with substance abuse in the past -- was reportedly belligerent, slurring her speech and reeked of booze.

We're told Kim was taken to a nearby jail -- where she allegedly kicked a police officer.

She's been charged with trespass, resisting arrest, battery on a police officer and drunk in public.

Cops issued a citation to Richards -- and she was later released.

Richards' sobriety was called into question on the recent "Real Housewives" reunion special -- when Lisa Rinna suggested that Kim was on something during a car ride earlier in the season.

Kim had admitted that she had taken a pain pill -- but was adamant she had not fallen off the wagon.