Video has emerged of an altercation between a car passenger and police in Porirua, in which a man appears to be pepper sprayed before being wrestled to the ground and having a dog set on him.

It was filmed during a routine traffic stop last weekend, and those involved told Newshub police used excessive force and are calling for the police dog handler to be stood down.

"He did nothing", "what is wrong with you?" people can be heard yelling in the video.

Albert Edmonds, the car passenger, has been charged with obstructing police, resisting police and two counts of assault on a police officer. He's due to appear in court next week.

In a formal complaint to the Independent Police Conduct Authority he said the the dog bit and ripped his leg and he suffered damage to his eye socket.

He admits he ignored a request to stay in the car when he went to buy cigarettes at the service station.

Mr Edmonds was a passenger in his girlfriend's car at the time.

Her father, Chris, told Newshub "he should have got back in the car, as asked by the dog handler, he didn't".

"But he's restrained, he's on the ground, there are four officers and to put a dog in at that stage is just totally unnecessary and I think that officer should be made accountable for what he did".

Inspector Tracey Thompson, Kapiti-Mana Area Commander, responded to the incident in a statement.

"We can confirm that a range of tactical options were deployed.

"While we have not been able to review the video mentioned, it is important to note that, as is often the case with brief video clips of this nature, it does not necessarily provide a full picture of what occurred prior to the event being filmed.

"As this matter is now before the courts, police are unable to comment further."

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