PHILADELPHIA -- The actions of some Philadelphia police officers are being scrutinized in the days following Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski's killing.

It's all because of video shot by a news helicopter as police arrested three men Monday night.

Several officers can be seen beating the suspects as they apprehend them.

Police chased the car down just after 10 p.m. Monday. The men inside were suspected in a shooting. But what happened outside the vehicle had some outraged Tuesday, NBC 10's Harry Hairston reported.

"I just burst out and cried. I was appalled at it," said Shirley Hopkins, the mother of one suspect.

Hopkins said she can't understand why police used as much force they did.

"I just can't believe that someone was being beaten like that by numerous officers -- constantly stomped, kicked and hit with blackjacks," she said.

And the mother of a second suspect said seeing what happened left her angry with the officers.

"I just can't express to you what I feel inside as a mother to see my son brutally beat like that," said Leomia Dyches.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said Tuesday that the officers involved in the incident have been taken off the streets pending the outcome of an investigation to determine if their emotions over one of their own being killed over the weekend led to use of excessive force.

But Ramsey also said the pictures don't tell the whole story.

"Some of our NET team officers -- that's the Narcotics Enforcement Team -- from the 25th District were on a surveillance at 4th and Ansbury," Ramsey said.

Ramsey said the officers were working a on a murder investigation when the suspects suddenly pulled up in their car.

"Four individuals got out and they walked up to a group that was standing on the corner. One of those individuals opened fire and shot three individuals on the corner of 4th and Ansbury while the officers were watching this," Ramsey said.

Police said the gunman ran away and was still on the loose Tuesday afternoon. The three later caught in the car were charged with aggravated assault.

According to court records obtained by NBC 10 News, one suspect, Dwayne Dyches, has a criminal history that includes convictions on firearms, drugs and driving under the influence.

Ramsey said the other suspects also have priors, but he added that their criminal history has nothing to do with police arrest procedures.

"On the surface, it certainly does not look good in terms of the amount of force that was used. But we don't want to rush to judgment," Ramsey said.

Watch Video

Ramsey said he does not want to make any excuses for what appears to have happened on the tape. But he did want to remind everyone that many officers are emotionally drained and under a great deal of stress.

The police commissioner went to his command staff and told them to make sure any officers working too many hours need to take a break, restricting them to 12-hour shifts with a mandatory eight hours off before coming back on duty, Hairston reported.