Michael Blake, a freshman New York state assemblyman from the Bronx, has filed an official complaint against the police, stating that he was he was roughly handled by an officer after asking about police activity in his district.
Mr. Blake was attending a family event when he noticed an incident with the police happening outside. He approached the officers to discuss the situation, but an argument broke out behind him moments later. As he rushed towards the confrontation a police officer “lifted him off the ground and ‘slammed’ him against a gate outside the housing complex.”
I had a terrible encounter with an officer today. Surreal his response. I will share more soon. Stay tuned. This must end soon on both sides
— Michael Blake (@MrMikeBlake) July 31, 2016
Mr. Blake spoke with the New York Times regarding this incident and stated that “it was not a pleasant interaction.”
According to the police as reported by the New York Times, Michael Blake “approached the sergeant from behind, without identifying himself, and ‘grabbed’ his shoulder.” A police spokeswoman said that the officer perceived “a possible threat to the sergeant” and moved put him against a fence about five feet away.
Later on, another police officer intervened after recognizing Blake as an elected official. The officer who held him let him go and was “urged to apologize by superiors.”
Mr. Blake filed a formal notice with the Civilian Complaint Review Board and claimed excessive force, which he believes may have been related to the fact that he is Black.
“I can appreciate from the officer’s perspective that if they perceive someone is a threat to their fellow officer, regardless of race, they would act out in some way,” Mr. Blake said. “But I do believe that the level of response was far heightened because I’m a black man — no question.”
He also said, “I know that the only way that this is going to get better is if we are transparent and we talk about what we experience and what we learn, and how changes need to occur on all sides.”
