Cop suspended without pay after shoving and slapping homeless man

A police officer who was caught on camera shoving, slapping and threatening a homeless man in the US has been suspended without pay.

Police say they are considering criminal charges for Victor Ramirez, who has been with Florida's Fort Lauderdale police force for nine years.

The video, uploaded yesterday, shows Ramirez directing 58-year-old Bruce Lacair to a relatively quiet area out the back of a Fort Lauderdale bus station, where Mr Lacair had been trying to use the toilet, according to reports.

Lacair appears to try and pull away from Ramirez, who has his hand on Lacair's left arm; it's at this moment that Ramirez shoves Lacair on the side of the head, sending him crashing to the pavement.

"F--- you," Lacair says.

"I'll tell you right now what's gonna happen," Ramirez replies.

"You're not gonna go pee. You're not supposed to be here, OK?

"So get up – I'll push you to the ground and I'll beat you up if you're gonna f---ing try to fight me, that's what's gonna happen.

"Get up."

The officer then delivers a heavy, right handed slap to Lacair, who is still on the ground.

The sound of the hit reverberates loudly around the area, with onlookers reacting audibly to the sound.

One man can be heard yelling out, "report that s---!"

Ramirez then proceeds to arrest Lacair, cuffing his hands behind his back and lecturing him about following police instructions.

"Now you're going to jail," he says.

Lacair was charged with trespassing, while the police department says it will review its use-of-force policy.