LAWRENCE, Mass. — A veteran police officer is on paid administrative leave after he “lost control” at an accident scene early Monday morning in an incident that was captured on video and shared via social media.

Alberto Inostroza, a 29-year veteran of the department, is on paid administrative leave pending an ongoing investigation, Lawrence Police Chief James Fitzpatrick said.

“He lost control. … The conduct is unbecoming,” said Fitzpatrick.

Michael Centeno, 26, of Lawrence, said he started recording when he was met with “attitude” from Inostroza at the accident scene. Inostroza spoke harshly and swore at him, said Centeno.

The video shows Inostroza asking the man to step back. While continuing to record, Centeno asks Inostroza for his badge number, prompting an angered response.

Though jostling in the video makes it unclear what is happening, Centeno said the officer “struck me and my phone hit me in the face.”

An internal affairs investigation is underway and Inostroza faces possible punishment. Fitzpatrick said he does not think the investigation will take long.

“There were will be possible discipline, depending on the outcome,” he said.

Fitzpatrick declined to say what the punishment could be.

Posted to YouTube and shared on Facebook, the video was reportedly taken when Inostroza responded to a motorcycle accident on Glenn Street just after midnight Monday.

“I was scared. … I kept saying, ‘I’m not touching you,'” said Centeno, who added that he “had my hands up.”

Centeno said he’s never had problems with police.

“I was polite even when he struck me. I respect police officers. I respect authority,” he said.

His friend, a fellow motorcyclist who was involved in the accident, was not seriously hurt, Centeno said.

“I just wish officer was more professional about it. … We did give the paramedics and the officer space. I wish he would have handled it different,” he said.

Fitzpatrick said the video was emailed to him by a superior officer.

“The conduct in the video is not in keeping with the standards of the Lawrence Police Department,” he said.

Fitzpatrick said the department has not received an “independent complaint” about the officer’s actions.

Neither Inostroza nor Detective Alan Andrews, president of the patrol officers’ union, returned messages seeking comment.

Harmacinski writes for the North Andover, Massachusetts, Eagle-Tribune.