Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

The New York Police Department reacted swiftly to the shocking news that former United States tennis star James Blake was injured in a case of mistaken identity by officers outside the Grand Hyatt New York on East 42nd Street around noon on Wednesday in midtown Manhattan.

An officer, named James Frascatore, was stripped of his gun and badge as New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner William J. Bratton offered apologies for the arrest.

“This shouldn’t have happened and he shouldn’t have been treated that way,” Mr. de Blasio said in an interview on NY1 on Thursday, echoing remarks made earlier by Mr. Bratton.

The actions of Frascatore, were under review by internal affairs investigators and the Civilian Complaint Review Board after early incidents. At least three force-related complaints, one of which was partially substantiated, were filed against the 38 year-old officer, with the review board in 2013, said an anonymous law enforcement official.

Video of the arrest reviewed by the authorities revealed how a botched sting operation had ensnared a sports celebrity, resulting in his being body-slammed to the sidewalk, according to his account, and handcuffed for 15 minutes on Wednesday afternoon.

Investigations into the incident continue. Blake, speaking in an interview with Good Morning America, said: “I do think most cops are doing a great job keeping us safe, but when you police with reckless abandon, you need to be held accountable,” said 35 year-old Blake.

“I was standing there doing nothing — not running, not resisting, in fact smiling. The officer picked me up and body slammed me and put me on the ground and told me to turn over and shut my mouth, and put the cuffs on me.”

Blake added he counted himself lucky not to be more seriously hurt but he retained Kevin Marino, a prominent New Jersey criminal defense lawyer. “This happens too often,” Blake said, “Most of the time it’s not to someone like me.”

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.