Fifteen police officers from Philadelphia have been suspended after a video emerged screening officers beating three suspects, US media reports.

Police officers suspended
Video shows dozens kicking and fighting an investigation has been launched after footage emerged showing more than a dozen officers kicking, punching and using batons to strike the suspects following a car chase.

A police spokesman said there was “no excuse” for the scenes captured on the 11-minute video, filmed by a Fox29 news helicopter.

The suspects’ lawyer described the incident as “one of the most reprehensible displays of police brutality I have ever seen.”

Scott Perrine said his clients were apprehended without probable cause.

Police said the three men who were beaten were suspects in a shooting.

No weapons were found in their vehicle, but a fourth suspect fled the scene on foot and remains missing.

Tensions are high in Philadelphia following the shooting of police sergeant Stephen Liczbinski.

The 39-year-old was gunned down while in pursuit of bank robbery suspects. His killer remains at large.

“We realise that our officers are all under an excess of stress right now, but we still have to do our job in a professional manner,” said police spokesman Frank Vanore.