Touching video shows US cop flipping out with local kid

A US police officer has gone viral after a heartwarming video emerged of him showing off his backflip skills to a group of local kids.

The video was posted by Washington police officer Arthur Brown Jr on June 30.

In the short clip, a young boy in a playground displays his own skills, turning a cartwheel into a backflip.

The camera pans back to see Mr Brown, in uniform, limbering up his own limbs.

"I want to see this - you're recording, right?" somebody calls.

Mr Brown then jogs a few steps forward before duplicating the move, to a chorus of cheers from onlookers.

The video has garnered 1200 Facebook reactions and been shared nearly 3000 times.

As the US continues to grapple with police interactions with the community - in particular the African-American community, Mr Brown's performance and actions were praised by many online.

"The epitome of community involvement," one commenter wrote.

Another urged Mr Brown to "keep up the good work" he did for Washington DC.

Mr Brown appears to have form in this regard, posting a photo of him racing on a bicycle against another local teen.

"Bridging the gap between the POLICE and the COMMUNITY starts right here!" he wrote.

"He lost btw!!"