Investigation after police pepper spray 84-year-old woman

WARNING: Some viewers may find this footage distressing.

This is the shocking moment an 84-year-old woman was pepper sprayed by a police officer.

Footage from a police body camera shows officers from Muskogee Police Department in Oklahoma kicking the pensioner's down looking for her son Arthur Blackmon.

Mr Blackmon's offence was running a stop sign and failing to pull over.

The woman - identified as Geneva Smith - is heard refusing to turn around when shouted to by a female officer.

The officer yells: "Turn and face that way now or I'll spray you."

With little time to respond, the pensioner is then sprayed in the eyes before falling to the ground.

Officers get her on the floor. Credit: RTV

Officers are then seen restraining the pensioner on the floor while her son looks on shouting: "Hey. My mother is 84 years-old mother******."

Ms Smith is heard shouting: "Oh Lord, oh Lord. Help me Jesus. Oh, Lord help me."

The pensioner hands are held behind her back. Credit: RTV

The footage was released by Muskogee Police Department.

At least eight officers involved in the incident on August 7 are now being investigated - but all have since returned to duty.

The police department said Mr Blackmon had driven to his mother's house and walked inside despite officers commanding him to stay inside his vehicle.