Durham police have confirmed they are investigating the actions of an off-duty officer alleged to have shoved a 10-year-old during a girls’ hockey game last month.

The service is co-operating with authorities in Pennsylvania, where the incident is alleged to have taken place, police confirmed.

“I can confirm we are aware of this incident and that it involves one of our police officers, who was off-duty at the time,” Durham police spokesman Dave Selby said via email.

“Our professional standards branch is now investigating and we will be co-operating fully with the investigation based out of Pittsburgh.”

Durham police have not identified the officer now under investigation. The man, a coach with the Clarington Flames atom girls team, was also not named by the woman who first went public with the allegations.

Vanessa Janzen, the mother of the child involved, posted a video of the alleged incident on YouTube.

She said the assistant coach “punched” her daughter, Brooklyn Janzen, a player for the Ayr Rockets, in the handshake line in front of the Clarington bench during a tournament Nov. 30.

Janzen said she learned the assistant coach was a Durham police officer.

In the video, the coach’s arm is obscured by another coach, but Janzen said it is clear that he made a motion toward her before she fell backwards to the ice.

The incident occurred at the Pittsburgh Elite Girls Thanksgiving Classic hockey tournament at Robert Morris University.

Janzen called university police. Jonathan Potts, vice-president of public relations and marketing at Robert Morris University, said in an email to the Cambridge Times that once university police finish their investigation, they will turn over their findings to the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office.

The Clarington Girls Hockey Association issued a statement on its website, also stating that it is aware of the situation.

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“The Ontario Women’s Hockey Association and Hockey Canada are currently investigating the situation. The CGHA organization will support and provide full co-operation with all governing entities to ensure a thorough and transparent process.

“The CGHA will continue to foster a positive and fun hockey experience for all of our members, which supports growth and development to help our players achieve their personal goals. As always, the CGHA ensures that all health and safety requirements are met or exceeded in the best interest of our members at all times. We have no further comment at this time.”

The statement was signed by Cyndy Bonello, Clarington Girls Hockey Association president.

With files from Bill Doucet