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CBS 2's Rafael Romo and the STNG Wire contributed to this report
CHICAGO (CBS) ― Anthony Abbate, the Chicago police officer accused of beating a bartender in a videotaped attack seen around the world, made a court appearance Tuesday.

Prosecutors say video cameras at Jesse's Shortstop Inn Tavern at 5425 W. Belmont Ave. caught Abbate, 38, a 12-year veteran of the Lincoln Police District, punching and kicking bartender Karolina Obrycka, 24, on Feb.19.

As CBS 2's Rafael Romo reports, the hearing was far from routine, and he and a CBS 2 photographer were threatened with arrest.

A clean-shaven Abbate, wearing a charcoal gray suit, appeared before the judge Wednesday for around 30 seconds. Exclusive CBS 2 footage shows Abbate after he was snuck out through a back door, apparently to avoid reporters.

Outside Area 5, there were police officers blocking the main entrance and the back gate; the lights on their cars were turned on.

Some threatened reporters and photographers with arrest for just standing in the lobby of the police station, all in an apparent effort to protect Abbate.

Abbate went to a Cook County courthouse Tuesday morning where misdemeanor charges were dropped. He now faces more serious charges of felony aggravated battery, for which he could spend five years in jail.

Chicago Police were expected Tuesday to announce a new policy regarding how the department investigates excessive use of force complaints against officers.

Police Supt. Phil Cline would like to expedite the process so that the department can move more quickly to take actions against officers when officials believe the allegations are true, department spokeswoman Monique Bond told the Chicago Sun-Times.

Bond said Tuesday afternoon that top brass is livid about the apparent way in which police officers at the Grand Central District apparently protected Abbate.

"Officer Abbate is not entitled to any special, preferential treatment; and if it in fact is learned that any Chicago police officers were providing special, preferential treatment then the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken," Bond said.

Last week Abbate avoided reporters at another courthouse by running to a waiting car.

Also at the hearing, held at a small branch court, Abbate reportedly was taken into the courthouse through a private entrance to thwart media access.

These allegations also have reached Cline, who is now demanding an investigation and an explanation into what happened, Bond said.

The Chicago Police Department has launched an investigation into the way police officers at Area 5 handled Tuesday's hearing.

At one point, officers came out of the station only to give citations to all media vehicles parked in an area where parking is normally allowed.

"We will get statements from all of those involved," Bond said. "Some of the complaints we've received from some of the news media and we will move forward."

Deputy Supt. Charles Williams is going to personally handle the investigation and was said to be very concerned about what transpired at the hearing.

Last week, Obrycka's attorney, Terry Ekl, said the bartender had refused to serve Abbate any more drinks, prompting the attack. Abbate was off duty at the time.

Ekl said Obrycka had been offered money to keep quiet about her story by someone associated with Abbate. Later, Ekl claimed, the owner of the bar was also told that if she did not keep quiet about her story, drugs would be planted in the bar and in Obrycka's vehicle, and that customers at the bar would be harassed.

Ekl said he intends to file a lawsuit within several weeks and that it could name the police department if it's shown that "Abbate was using police powers in making the threat." "If that's the case," he said, "then that will broaden the lawsuit."

Police initially charged Abbate with misdemeanor battery, but the Cook County state's attorney's office later upgraded the charges to felony aggravated battery. Abbate was released from jail on $70,000 bond shortly after his arrest last week.

Cline's announcement also comes in the wake of a second report of a beating by off-duty officers. Six off-duty cops allegedly beat four patrons on Dec. 15 at the Jefferson Tap & Grille. The beating was allegedly captured by security cameras at the bar, sources said.

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