The Vancouver Police Department is receiving unwanted publicity over a YouTube video that shows an officer scuffling with a cyclist that had run a red light.

The officer has been put on leave pending further investigation.

The video, posted online on March 28, shows an undercover officer attempting to arrest the man in the city's Yaletown neighbourhood around 10:45 p.m. Tuesday night. A second officer is assisting in the arrest.

In the video, one officer can be seen holding the man's arm behind his back as he tries to place him in handcuffs. The officer tells the apparently calm suspect, Andi Shae Akhavan, to relax his arm.

When Akhavan moves his arm, the officer punches him in the face.

'Why did you punch me?!" the cyclist asks.

"Because you were resisting... I was trying to put handcuffs on you and you pulled your hand away," the officer can be heard saying.

Akhavan's friend Mike Schwartz who began filming the incident when he saw what was happening, asks "what the hell was that?" after the punch was thrown, and warns "that's going on TV right there."

The Vancouver Police Department has issued a statement saying the officer involved reported the incident to his supervisor, and the Office of the Police Complains Commissioner will be notified.

"Allegations of police misconduct are taken very seriously," Sgt. Randy Fincham wrote. "The officer is currently on weekly leave."

Police also describe Akhavan's behaviour as "confrontational" before his arrest. He was released on a promise to appear pending charge approval.

Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services treated the victim for a cut lip at the scene, but Akhavan said he sought additional care at a hospital afterward.

"It hurt. My tooth went through my lip a little bit," he said. "They gave me a CAT scan at the ER, which I had to bike myself to after the incident. They told me I have to come back for tests. My jaw's a little wonky."

Akhavan said he is still considering his options, but he wants police to suspend the officer, fire him or at least "make sure he doesn't punch people in the face anymore when it's not necessary."