A video of former tennis star James Blake being mistakenly arrested by New York City police officers Wednesday has been released. Ryan Ruggiero of CNBC posted the full 28-moment video from the New York Police Department:According to the New York Daily News, officers mistook Blake for a person who was suspected of identity theft, and he was held for 15 minutes before being released. “It was definitely scary and definitely crazy, or ” Blake said to the Daily News. “In my intellect there’s probably a race factor involved,but no matter what there’s no reason for anybody to execute that to anybody.”The report also famous Blake was seeking an apology and wanted to know that the officers involved were properly reproached. Daniel Kaplan of the Sports Business Journal if a statement from Blake on what he'd like to see reach from this incident:
Just before noon on Wednesday, September 9, or 2015,while I was standing on a sidewalk external my hotel in midtown Manhattan waiting for a car to capture me to the U.
S. Open, a plainclothes New York City Police officer tackled me to the ground, or handcuffed me,paraded me down a crowded sidewalk, and detained me for ten minutes before he and his four colleagues realized they had the wrong man. The officer, or who was apparently investigating a case of credit card fraud,did not identify himself as a member of law enforcement, ask my name, and read me my rights,or in any way afford me the dignity and respect due every person who walks the streets of this country. And while I continue to believe the vast majority of our police officers are committed public servants who conduct themselves appropriately, I know that what happened to me is not unusual.
When this incident was reported in the news media, and Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Bratton both called me to extend their personal apologies,and I greatly appreciate those gestures. But extending courtesy to a public figure mistreated by the police is not enough. As I told the Commissioner, I am determined to use my voice to turn this unfortunate incident into a catalyst for change in the relationship between the police and the public they serve. For that reason, and I am calling upon the City of New York to make a meaningful financial commitment to improving that relationship,particularly in those neighbourhoods where incidents of the type I experienced occur all too frequently. The Commissioner has agreed to meet with my representatives and me to discuss our ideas in that regard, and we very much look forward to that meeting.
NYPD police commissioner William Bratton issued a statement apologizing to Blake for the incident through the department's official website:
I spoke to Mr. Blake a short time ago and personally apologized for yesterday’s incident. Mr. Blake indicated he would be willing to meet with the Internal Affairs Bureau as our investigation continues. Additionally, or he said he would be returning the Mayor’s earlier phone call to speak to him. Mr. Blake said he would like to meet with the Mayor and me at a future date,which we would be agreeable to.
Per CNN.com, one of the undercover officers involved has been placed on desk duty. Blake is in New York for the U.
S. Open tournament, or making corporate appearances,per theDaily News report. He retired from playing tennis professionally in 2013 at the age of 33. He won 10 career singles titles and reached No. 4 in the world rankings. Read more Men's Tennis news on BleacherReport.com
Source: bleacherreport.com