Tonga police investigate alleged police brutality

Tonga's police commissioner has ordered an investigation into an incident of police brutality that was recorded and shared online.

The video was filmed in Nuku'alofa on Saturday night, soon after the country's rugby league side's victory over Samoa.

In the grainy 45 second video that's been viewed thousands of times, a police pick up truck is parked in the middle of an intersection with its blue lights flashing.

In the back, a burly officer is seen lifting the flailing body of a man to about waist height, before slamming him into the floor.

The officer then nonchalantly sits on the ute's edge, before throwing a few more punches and shoving his boot down onto the person in the tray, who is unable to be identified.

The police commissioner, Stephen Caldwell, said he has ordered a full report into the incident, as well as an investigation into those involved.

The police statement did not make clear whether the officers involved are still working while the investigation is underway.