Police tape surrounds a crime sceneFred Lum/The Globe and Mail
Ottawa police have launched an internal review after a video shows a man apparently being punched by an officer while being arrested.
The handheld footage appears to show three officers subduing a man on the ground outside a downtown bar just before midnight Friday when one of the officers appears to begin punching him.
Police say officers were responding to an incident with a man swinging a metal pole at bar bouncers when a second man reached out and punched a constable in the face.
They say that second man was brought to the ground by officers and handcuffed while a member of the crowd recorded the arrest on camera.
Police Chief Charles Bordeleau says in a release the force's professional standards section will review the arrest footage, which was posted online.
Police say the officer who was punched was treated at the scene while the two men received minor injuries.
Balkaran Bajwa, 21, is charged with causing a disturbance, assaulting a peace officer, uttering threats and resisting arrest.
Gohar Ali, 21, faces charges of causing a disturbance, assault with a weapon and obstructing a police officer.