The police department in Elizabeth, N.J., are investigating footage that appears to show a police officer striking a woman in the face during a brawl that took place outside of a popular nightclub.

Daily Mail reported that the 20-second clip was posted on YouTube on March 3 with the following headline: "Woman punched in the face by cop during brawl at club envy NJ."

The controversial clip, which has now been viewed over 6,000 times and counting, was recorded on a cell phone. In the footage, a police officer looks as though he's emerging from a crowd in order to place a man under arrest, but then appears to punch a woman who tries to get herself involved.

Although the circumstances behind the footage aren't completely clear as of yet, Elizabeth police told NBC New York that they are in the midst of questioning an officer in their department who currently remains on duty.

From within the crowd, a man is seen walking away and beginning to wipe his face. At the same time, a police officer goes around the side of the group and walks up to the man trying to grab his face. Then a woman dressed in a red and black dress tries to stop the police officer, who then punches her in the face.

The Union County Prosecutor's office is currently referring all questions to the Elizabeth Police Department.

Tags: offbeat