A US police officer has been filmed punching a man several times, during a chase that was broadcast on live TV.

After a high-speed chase reached its conclusion in Pasadena, Los Angeles, two sheriff's deputies can be seen restraining a man, who is lying on his front in the road.

One deputy can be seen punching his charge, who has been identified as Donovan Gardner, four times in the torso.

The deputy then climbs on top of Gardner before throwing several punches near the man's head, all the while being filmed by a news helicopter.

Once another deputy arrives on the scene Gardner is fully restrained.

The Sheriff's department issued a statement saying “Once on the ground, a struggle occurred between Gardner and two deputies who were trying to gain control of him.

“Gardner turned over onto his back and refused to give the deputies his hands. A use of force occurred wherein deputies struck Gardner multiple times.”

A spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said that the pursuit began after the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department received a report of residential burglary.