New York City police and the civilian complaint review board are investigating a claim by a judge that he was struck by a police officer.
Justice Thomas Raffaele says he was struck last Friday after midnight when he and a friend came upon officers wrestling with a shirtless man wielding a pipe.
He says he called 911 because the crowd seemed to be getting out of control, and the officers yelled and cursed, then one struck him in the throat. The judge complained to authorities.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Wednesday that the claims were being investigated by Internal Affairs.
The man wielding the pipe was declared emotionally disturbed and hospitalized, but not arrested.
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