New York Police Department Commissioner Bill Bratton held a news conference Thursday morning and said he and the mayor want to offer an apology to James Blake.
Blake, a former professional tennis player, was "body-slammed" to the ground and handcuffed by a police officer Wednesday after being misidentified by law enforcement. He told "Good Morning America" early Thursday that the NYPD has not contacted him, but Bratton said that's not the case.
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Bratton said he and and Mayor Bill de Blasio have been using a cell number provided to them to try and reach Blake, but no contact has been made. He added his department wants Blake to speak to its internal affairs division.
The officer involved in the incident has been placed on modified assignment. As a result, his gun and badge have been removed pending an investigation.
Video of the incident shows officers rapidly approaching the former tennis player, according to Bratton. He added the video showed the officers grabbing Blake by the arm and taking him down to the ground where he was immediately handcuffed.
Blake did not appear to resist the arrest, according to Bratton. He said the use of force by the officer who handcuffed Blake appeared to be inappropriate. So far Blake has not filed a formal complaint against the officer.
As to what went wrong, Bratton said Blake was mistakenly identified based on an Instagram picture that police described as "remarkably similar" to the former tennis pro.
Bratton said what happened should not have happened.
