State, city police probe scuffle between 2 officers

State and Boston police are investigating an alleged fistfight between a state trooper and Boston officer working a detail outside TD Banknorth Garden Monday night.

A Boston police official with direct knowledge of the incident said State Trooper Robert Grover and Boston Police Officer Edward MacPherson began scuffling after Grover criticized the officer for not keeping traffic moving during a Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert.

The trooper was perturbed that limousines were blocking access to a State Police barracks around the corner from the Garden on Beverly Street, the official said.

After angry words were exchanged, a fight broke out, the official said. MacPherson called for back up and injured his shoulder when Grover drove off with the officer's arm still in his cruiser, the official said. Grover has alleged MacPherson hit him in the eye, the official said.

Neither police agency would discuss the incident in detail, though Lieutenant Sharon Costine, a spokeswoman for the State Police, confirmed that Grover was placed on injured status yesterday. She declined to confirm whether Grover's injury resulted from an altercation with a Boston officer.

Elaine Driscoll, a Boston police spokeswoman, said the department is investigating the incident. She said MacPherson is also on injured leave as a result of the incident.

Suzanne Smalley can be reached at ssmalley@globe.com.