A YouTube video of police in Long Beach, California beating a suspect on the street has gone viral and is stirring outrage from viewers.

The video, nearly five minutes long, shows four police officers beating 46-year-old Porfirio Santos-Lopez using batons and tasers, while the suspect was half-naked on his back. Footage of the beating was caught by a witness on her cell phone and clearly demonstrates police use of excessive force.

Nevertheless, the Long Beach Police Department has defended the actions of its officers, saying that the video does not tell the whole story.

"That individual seemed to be irrational. He was combative," Sargant Aaron Eaton told local media, adding that police tried to get Santos-Lopez to roll onto his stomach, but initially refused. "In the video that is on YouTube, he can be seen kicking at the officers."

The police rationale for using force was not accepted by the victim's family, who have told the media that they intend to sue the police department.

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