YouTube video prompts police probe

A YouTube video showing a uniformed officer kicking two men who were on the ground has resulted in an investigation being undertaken by Victoria police.

In the video, an officer is seen separately kicking two men who were apparently already being subdued by other officers.

The incident occurred about 12:30 a.m. Sunday after three officers on foot patrol witnessed a fight involving eight males outside the Social Club on Store Street, Sgt. Grant Hamilton said Tuesday.

Hamilton said the officers used pepper spray in an effort to disperse those involved and eventually took six people into custody.

A man found lying on the ground was taken to hospital with a head injury and was treated and released, Hamilton said.

None of the officers was injured, he added.

All six people taken into custody were later released without charges.

The Victoria Police Department's professional standards section is formally investigating the officers' conduct, Hamilton said.

Other recent allegations

B.C.'s Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner was notified and is monitoring the internal investigation, Hamilton said.

The names of the officers involved have not been released.

It is not known if any of the civilians involved in the incident have made a formal complaint.

Two Victoria police officers were charged March 10 with two counts each of assault in connection with an incident in October 2009 involving two men who had been arrested for public drunkenness.

In January, a 28-year veteran of the force was suspended pending a review after a man was assaulted in the city's jail.