A Vancouver cop is being investigated after he was caught on tape punching a man’s face during an arrest Tuesday night.

The victim, Andishae Akhavan, was biking home in Yaletown at around 10:45 p.m. when two officers pulled him over and accused him of running a red light on Beatty Street.

When police told him he was getting a ticket, the cyclist, who was also not wearing a helmet and had no lights on his bike, admits he did not comply quietly.

“I asked is there better things to be doing than giving tickets,” Akhavan said. “I might have used some words I wouldn’t use on TV, but it was in a completely civil manner.”

The officers decided to place him under arrest, at which point Akhavan’s friend Mike Schwarz recognized him from the street and ran over to film the exchange.

The footage, which was later posted to YouTube, shows the policemen holding Akhavan’s arms behind his back and putting one of his hands in handcuffs.

When he starts to move his arms, one officer strikes him in the jaw.

“Relax your arm!” the officer commands.

Moments later, as Akhavan sits on the curb, he asks why he was punched.

“Because you was resisting,” the officer answers. “I was trying to put handcuffs on you and you pulled your arm away.”

The Vancouver Police Department 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 it,” 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.”

Have your say: Do you think the officer used excessive force?