The violent arrest of Philadelphia Police officers caught on tape is being aired across the country. Now there are questions about how the investigation is being handled and how the beatings will affect the relationship between police and the community.

Many are wondering if this could become a civil rights case. What role, if any, could race play in these investigations? And can police officials be impartial in their investigation of the officers involved in the beating? That last question is important because some have suggested the officers involved were under emotional strain after the shooting death of Sergeant Stephen Liczbinski.

"I saw one officer leave one person and join another person in that kicking so I was very concerned," said Pastor Ellis Washington who is also the President of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia. He said he understands police have a job to do. But what he doesn't understand is why the particular officers seen in the video beating three shooting suspects chose to do it that way.

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"Obviously you have a right to pull over and question and to bring people into custody that you have reasonable suspicion of but to execute justice on the street I don't think that's right."

The chaotic scene of what appeared to be cops out of control has paralyzed the city and many say strained the relationship between police and the community. Some will say specifically the black community. The suspects are all African American.

"I think we have to downplay that so we don't get caught up in the race war and us versus them," said Pastor Washington.

He warns it's not just the black community.

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