The head of the Queensland Police Union (QPU) has admitted striking people while on duty and defended the rights of officers to respond with force if provoked.

It comes after CCTV footage emerged of an incident on the Gold Coast in which a man in custody was assaulted by police.

Police involved have alleged the man spat on an officer, although charges against him relating to this allegation have since been dropped.

"Spitting and biting is a very disgraceful act," QPU boss Ian Leavers said.

"We are not robots. It can be an instant reaction where you will strike somebody. And I have done that myself."

Alleged Gold Coast police incidents September 6, 2015 Man, 65, stops breathing and dies after struggling with police during his arrest at Robina January, 2015 Social worker, 50, said he was assaulted at Surfers Paradise September 28, 2014 Brayden Mechen kneed and punched outside a Surfers Paradise nightclub May, 2014 Michael Cox, 29, seeking $100,000 in damages after police allegedly broke his wrist at the Surfers Paradise police station January, 2012 Noa Begic, 21, punched while handcuffed in the back of a police van and in the basement of the Surfers Paradise station

Mr Leavers said that "on a couple of occasions I did hit back".

"It was an instant reaction, it was a self-preservation where you immediately use force, and that is a human instinct," he said.

"There has been another occasion when a young lady spat in my face, but I didn't end up hitting her."

A Queensland Police Service (QPS) spokesman said police officers have a number of use of force options available when dealings with arrested people.

"Through regular training, officers are aware that any use of force applied in the execution of duty must be authorised, justified, reasonable, proportionate, appropriate, legally defensible and tactically sound and effective," the spokesman said.

"The question of whether any use of force would withstand scrutiny, is lawful, fair and compliant must be determined on a case-by-case basis in accordance with QPS policy, values and applicable legislation."

There have been a series of alleged police bashings on the Gold Coast in recent months and the QPS has launched an external review of police culture in the district.

Mr Leavers said police, especially on the Gold Coast, had to make split-second decisions in stressful situations and their rights to defend themselves needed to be upheld.

He said there were "HR" issues on the Gold Coast but no wider problem with police culture.

The ABC can reveal a formal complaint has been lodged with the QPS Ethical Standards Command over the alleged assault of a 50-year-old back in January.

"Following assessment, the Crime and Corruption Commission will be advised," the QPS said.

It declined further comment.

Body cameras for frontline Gold Coast police officers

Police Minister Jo-Ann Miller has announced a four-point action plan to address recent issues on the Gold Coast, including appointing a senior police officer to commence an immediate review into recent complaints.

The Government will also increase the use of body-worn video cameras by police on the Gold Coast.

Ms Miller met with Commissioner Ian Stewart on Wednesday and agreed to expand on the work already being done by the external review.

"We have decided on a four-point action plan particularly in relation to the Gold Coast," she said.

"The Commissioner has appointed the Assistant Police Commissioner Brian Codd who will be working on the Gold Coast.

"Brian Codd has experience as a Chief Superintendent of the Ethical Standards Command of the Queensland Police Service and he will be in operation down on the Gold Coast as soon as possible."

Also planned was the appointment of a senior police officer to investigate the issues around the use of force by some Gold Coast police officers.

"It is very important that we understand that there are two sides to every story in relation to the use of force on the Gold Coast and this senior officer will be investigating those claims," Ms Miller said.

"And of course finally we will be fast-tracking community engagement processes on the Gold Coast and these processes will also be rolled out across the state of Queensland."

A statement released by the Queensland Council for Civil Liberties (QCCL) said they welcomed the internal cultural review into police while reaffirming its previous statements that a public enquiry should be held.

"Queenslanders reasonably expect to know the end date for the internal cultural review and when the final report of these findings will be released," the statement read.