The video shows several women fighting outside and inside a red SUV, a man watching and then participating in the fight by hitting the vehicle and forcing the open door into the combatants while a crowd watches and encourages the participants.

Two police officers arrive on scene and force the man to the ground, striking his legs with a baton. As the officer secures the man, one of the women who appears bloodied from the fight pushes the officer. The officer chases her away by striking her on her legs with the baton.

After placing handcuffs on the man, the officer pursues the woman. He pulls her back to the scene by the belt on her trousers, forces her to the ground beside the man and secures her as other officers rush in.

Police say the officer has been placed on administrative leave, pending the investigation.

"The video vividly shows part of what happened, but it does not show all that transpired," said Savannah-Chatham police chief Willie Lovett. "It is important that we know all sides of the situation before we comment further."