Six police officers have been arrested in Co Derry following an altercation outside a pub.
The PSNI is investigating a “hate element” to the incident.
The six officers were among eight people arrested following the row outside a licensed premises in Portstewart, Co Derry around 1am on Wednesday, police said on Thursday.
“Two of the people involved are foreign nationals and police are investigating a hate crime element.
“Eight people were arrested and have since been released on bail pending further enquiries - six of those arrested were off-duty police officers,” the PSNI said in a statement.
Three of the eight people were taken to hospital and treated for minor injuries.
Chief Superintendent Garry Eaton asked anyone who could provide witness evidence to come forward.
“This investigation is still at the early stages and we are following a number of lines of enquiry including reviewing CCTV footage and identifying and speaking to witnesses,” he said.
Chief Supt Eaton said the PSNI's discipline branch was also conducting an internal investigation and therefore it would not be appropriate for him to comment further at this stage.
"However what I can say is that the Police Service of Northern Ireland expects its officers and staff to behave professionally, ethically and with the utmost integrity at all times," he said.
“Any deviation from those standards is unacceptable and we are committed to ensuring that where officers and staff fail to maintain the high standards expected of them they are dealt with appropriately,” he added.
