SCHENECTADY — Three Schenectady Police officers were arraigned this morning on misdemeanor charges of official misconduct, accused of failing to follow proper procedures in a December arrest.

The officers, Eric Reyell, Gregory Hafensteiner and Andrew Karaskiewicz, however, were cleared of allegations that they beat suspect Donald Randolph, attorneys said.

State prosecutors called the charges a reminder that officers must obey the law themselves, but defense attorneys and the police union head this morning called the charges “ridiculous” and “meaningless misdemeanors.”

“He feels relieved that he’s vindicated that as police officer, he did a good job,” said Michael McDermott, Hafensteiner's attorney. “And now to be brought into criminal court for failing to file a form is pretty disappointing.”

The three were arraigned in Schenectady County Court before Judge Karen Drago. All three pleaded not guilty.

Not indicted were Daryl Mallard and Kevin Derkowski.

In a statement this afternoon, Mayor Brian U. Stratton and Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett said Hafensteiner, Karaskiewicz, and Reyell will be suspended without pay, effective immediately, while Derkowski and Mallard will remain suspended with pay, pending completion of an administrative investigation into possible violations of department rules and regulations.

The charges came after months of investigation into Randolph’s accusations that one or more officers used excessive force and he was injured. Randolph’s family alleged that a half-dozen officers beat him while arresting him and after Randolph tried to use a cellphone to call his girlfriend for help.

As a result of the accusations, five officers, including the three indicted, were placed on paid leave. They have been out since late December.

The attorneys for the three indicted officers argued that the accusations do not rise to the level of a criminal charge and should have been handled in-house. Dismissal motions will be filed, they said.

The officers appeared in court with the support of several fellow officers. Half the gallery was filled with plain-clothed officers and family members. Among them was Lt. Robert Hamilton, police union president, who blasted the charges afterward.

Hamilton said the officers were rushed back to the road after the incident and returned later to file paperwork. The use of force form was simply forgotten, he said.

“One department form wasn’t filled out and they’re charged with a crime?” Hamilton said. “Don’t you see a problem with that?”