New York City - Police Commissioner Kelly's Cousin Complains Against Police

New York City - Arthur Heller is among the 3,000 New Yorkers a year who formally complain about police brutality or misconduct, but his case stands out because Mr. Heller's cousin is the city's police commissioner, Raymond Kelly.

Mr. Heller claims he was beaten by two plainclothes officers after his MetroCard didn't work properly two weeks ago.

A civil rights claim filed by Mr. Heller, 27, seeks $1 million in damages, and in a separate "excessive force" complaint filed with the Civilian Complaint Review Board, Mr. Heller claims he repeatedly told police officers he was related to Mr. Kelly and wished to speak with him. Mr. Heller claims police held for him four hours without charging him with any crime.