New York Police Department releases video footage of officer slamming James Blake to ground

NEW YORK (AP) — Police have released hotel surveillance footage that shows a police officer tackling former tennis star James Blake...

NEW YORK (AP) — Police have released hotel surveillance footage that shows a police officer tackling former tennis star James Blake.

The footage shows Blake leaning against a silver pole just outside the door of the Grand Hyatt New York in midtown Manhattan. Plainclothes officer James Frascatore approaches suddenly, grabs Blake’s arm and tackles him to the ground. While Blake lies prone on the sidewalk, the officer cuffs him. He is helped up and led away.

Blake was mistaken for an identity-theft suspect that Police Commissioner William Bratton said looked like Blake’s “twin.”

Bratton apologized to Blake.

Police spokesman Stephen Davis said Friday a copy was provided to Blake’s attorney and that Blake had been interviewed by internal affairs.

The officer is on desk duty pending the probe.

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