James Blake’s meeting with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday left the former world-ranked tennis player encouraged about the city’s efforts to hold police accountable.
"What he said that made me feel good was that in his heart he was on the same page as us,” said Blake, whose mistaken arrest Sept. 9 sparked further outrage aimed at police misconduct in New York.
A plainclothes officer mistook Blake for a suspect in an identity theft case. The incident was captured on video and put a spotlight on the issue of abuse of power by NYC police.
According to the New York Times, Blake said he was comforted by “… The fact that he can look me in the eye and tell me that he is on our side, and that he is looking to make a long-lasting impact,” referring to the mayor.
Police commissioner William Bratton also attended Monday’s meeting. Blake said he has no plans to file a lawsuit as of now, but did say last week he thinks the officer should be fired.