The Springfield Police Department says it has launched an internal investigation after video surfaced of officers messing with a 3-week-old kitten while serving a search warrant last month.

The video, which was recorded at a northeast Springfield home on Nov. 15, shows an officer grab the kitten by the scruff of its neck, toss it onto a bed and shower it with some type of tissue paper before another officer apparently tries to take a selfie with the animal.

A portion of the video has been viewed more than 2,500 times on Facebook.

Most people commenting on the post have characterized the actions with the kitten as playful rather than malicious, but many have criticized the officers for acting unprofessional.

Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams said he ordered an internal investigation once he became aware of the video. That investigation is ongoing.

“The Springfield Police Department upholds our values, including integrity and quality service, to the highest degree," Williams said. "This incident is being taken seriously and we are currently collecting further information.”

The video was recorded while the officers were serving a drug-related search warrant. Documents say they found an undisclosed amount of meth at the home and also seized cash and cell phones.

It does not appear anyone has been charged in connection with the drug seizure.

In addition to the activity with the cat, the video also appears to show an officer spit on the floor and another officer throw what appears to be a knife at the wall.

The officers are wearing ski masks.

The surveillance video from the bedroom shows that once an officer notices the camera, he reaches up and disables it.

The search warrant gave police access to any "surveillance systems" in the home.

Cameras or surveillance equipment are not listed, however, among the items seized by police on the search warrant return obtained by the News-Leader.

Springfield Police Department spokeswoman Jasmine Bailey said it's not uncommon for officers to seize surveillance equipment as part of an investigation but she could not comment on whether that happened in this case.

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