NEW YORK—James Blake's complaint about being mistakenly detained has prompted concern from New York City police, who are investigating the behavior of the officers involved.
Blake was thrown to the ground and handcuffed in front of his New York City hotel on Wednesday while about to travel to the U.S. Open. The former No. 4 was apparently mistaken for a suspect involved in identity fraud.
Blake, who said he experienced a cut and bruises, has criticized the police for using excessive violence.
"He has a right to be upset about it," said Police Commissioner William J. Bratton, speaking to NY1. "I will not tolerate any type of excessive use of force on the part of my police. But as always, and we have that saying, ‘The first story is never the last story,’ so we’ll wait and see what we get for facts and circumstances...
"He claims that he was rushed by a person in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt who pushed him to the ground and then he was assisted by four others who identified themselves, ultimately, as police officers and that he suffered an injury during that."
On Friday, video of the incident was released by the New York Police Department: