SARATOGA SPRINGS (AP) -- A Saratoga Springs police officer has been charged with assault following an off-duty altercation at a local bar.

Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy says Tuesday that Edward Braim was charged with misdemeanor assault after the Nov. 12 fracas. A 41-year-old man called police early that day to say he had been assaulted by three people he believed were off-duty officers.

The incident occurred at a Caroline Street bar in Saratoga's popular entertainment district.

Braim's lawyer, Andrew Safranko, says the charges are an overreaction and if his client wasn't a police officer, they never would have been filed. Braim was released and is due in court Dec. 20.

Police Chief Christopher Cole didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.

Braim and two other officers were suspended pending an investigation.

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