Images showing police in Paris beating a black music producer are "shameful" for France, President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday.
Four police officers are being questioned after the violent arrest of Michel Zecler, who alleges he was subjected to racist abuse.
CCTV footage of the attack has outraged France at a time when police in the capital were already under fire after officers were seen beating protesters while they cleared an illegal migrant campsite in central Paris.
"The images we have all seen of the aggression against Michel Zecler are unacceptable. They are shameful for all of us," Mr Macron said in a statement.
"France should never allow violence or brutality, no matter who it comes from. France should never let hate or racism prosper," he added.
The government is now urgently trying to formulate a plan to restore public faith in the police.
"Those whose job it is to apply the law should respect the law," Mr Macron said.
Mr Zecler said he had been walking in the street without a face mask, which is against French Covid-19 health protocols, and upon seeing a police car, he went into his nearby studio to avoid being fined. He said that police officers followed him inside and began to assault and abuse him because of his race.
