SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) – The city’s police commission voted Monday not to pursue disciplinary action against five officers accused of beating a school principal as he suffered a diabetic attack.

The 3-2 decision, which was reached after three hours of deliberation behind closed doors, has no bearing on the federal lawsuit filed against the officers by Douglas Greer, principal of the Robert M. Hughes Academy Charter School in Springfield.

“It was a case of misunderstanding,” said police commission Chairman Timothy Ryan. “The police officers had no reason to know or appreciate Mr. Greer’s condition. When it was realized, they got him the attention that was appropriate.”

Greer claims that he started to feel disoriented, a symptom of the onset of a diabetic attack, after pulling his BMW into a convenience store parking lot in November. A store clerk called the police after noticing Greer’s car had been parked for awhile.

Greer, who is black, says the white officers broke his car window, pulled him through the opening,and kicked and choked him after accusing him of being on drugs.

One of the officers in his report said police were only trying to restrain Greer as he thrashed and screamed before he was taken to a hospital for treatment.

The officers, Jeffrey M. Asher, James F. Kervick, James L. Shewchuck and James M. Moriarty, and Richard D. Reid were placed on administrative duty following an internal police investigation.

They will return to outside duty within a week, said Ryan, who voted against taking disciplinary action.

The officers left the hearing, held in police headquarters, without comment on Monday night.

Kevin Coyle, who represents three of the officers and is president of the patrolmen’s union, said the officers are pleased.

“They don’t have to have this hanging over their heads,” he said.

Greer’s lawyer, Walter Prince, could not immediately be reached for comment.

The ruling drew immediate criticism from some Springfield residents.

“I’m saddened,” said Elizabeth Glenn, who waited for the commission’s decision with others who say they’re concerned about police brutality in Springfield. “It’s like abusive policing, and it’s like the commission condones it.”

The commission, which provides oversight of the police department, is comprised of civilians who are appointed by the mayor.