Baltimore school cop under investigation after video shows him viciously slapping student

The head of police assigned to Baltimore's public school system was placed on administrative leave, along with the officer caught on video slapping and kicking a student, WJZ-TV reported.

Officials with the school district said they were unaware of the short video -- captured by an unidentified student -- until they were contacted by news outlets.

According to WBAL-TV, the incident shown in the footage took place on Tuesday morning at the REACH! Partnership school, where the officer is assigned. The student who filmed the encounter said that the officer was striking a classmate.

"I was totally appalled at what I saw today,” said the district's chief school supports officer, Karl Perry. "I am a parent and I am totally appalled by what I saw in that video. No matter what the circumstances are, I am totally appalled."

The officer and a colleague seen witnessing the incident but not intervening were placed on administrative leave, as was school Police Chief Marshall Goodwin, while it is under investigation.

Watch footage of the incident, as posted by WJZ, below.