Police have launched an investigation into reports a man was beaten by officers outside the Hamilton Police Station on New Year's Day.

In a statement released yesterday, Police announced that Commissioner Jean-Jaques Lemay had initiated a criminal investigation.

This does not preclude an internal disciplinary investigation into the alleged incident.

The Royal Gazette broke the story the day after a by-stander claimed to have seen at least ten officers beat a man, whom she knew, outside the station.

Police would only confirm a man had been arrested after a chase through Hamilton after an assault outside a nightclub.

On January 5 -- the earliest possible date for a court appearance following his arrest -- Kimani Fubler was charged with five counts of assault and doing bodily harm on January 1.

Fubler, 23, of Shelton Road, Pembroke, denied assaulting two women, causing grievous bodily harm to a third, assaulting a Police officer, and violently resisting arrest.

His right arm in a sling and plaster cast and his face swollen, Fubler was released on $1,000 bail. He was ordered to return to Magistrates' Court for mention on February 9.