This is the bizarre moment a policewoman whacks a young man with a baton for recording her during a search.

Footage shows the female police officer striking the man with her truncheon because she objected to him filming her during a search in the Suba district of Bogota, Colombia, on October 15.

In the video, the police officer, wearing a helmet, tells the man filming her: 'Look over there, don't take pictures of me.'

When he refuses, she hits him with her stick.

She continues to intimidate him, saying: 'Don't record me, or take photos of me, or anything like that. Don't take photos of me.

'Go and take them with your mother, not with me.'

The officer falsely claims it is illegal to film her.

The man reportedly said: 'Don't touch me, not like that, this is not right, this is going to be on social media.'

A second clip shows the man with a visible injury to his face.

Reports confirm that filming police officers conducting searches is legal in Colombia. The footage has sparked criticism of the officer's actions.

Bogota Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan condemned the behaviour, calling for an investigation.

He said: 'Zero tolerance for cases of abuse. Following a report of abusive behaviour by a police officer in the town of Suba, I have asked the Bogota police to clarify the facts and apply the corresponding sanctions.

'Bogota's security is built on the basis of respect for human rights, a respectful relationship between authorities and citizens, and under standards of excellence in the police service.'