DENVER -- Denver's police chief is speaking out on the videotaped beating investigation and how it's important for Denver Police to maintain public trust.

The police video, obtained by 7NEWS last week, shows Michael DeHerrera of Pueblo standing on the corner talking on the phone while police officers struggle to arrest his friend, who is on the ground.

The tape, recorded on a police camera in April 2009, then shows an officer grab DeHerrera and take him to the ground, but the video suddenly pans wide as officers subdue DeHerrera.

"Yeah, I was surprised to see it and I think most of the officers on the Police Department and the general public were surprised to see it," said Chief Gerry Whitman of the video.

There is debate over what should happen to the officers involved in the case. Denver Manager of Safety Ron Perea disciplined the officers for filing an inaccurate police report. Denver's independent monitor said Denver police officers tried to cover up allegations of excessive force and should be fired.

Whitman told 7NEWS, there's a lot more facts to it than just the video.

"I'm not saying the officers were right or wrong, I'm not saying the manager of safety is right or wrong, or the oversight board or the monitor," said Whitman. "I'm just saying you only get little snippets on the news about any circumstance and that's all people are getting to hear, just part of the story."

Whitman said he supports the fact that people can videotape and photograph the police. He stressed that officers know there are also a lot of police video surveillance cameras in town.

When asked if he was defending the officer's actions, Whitman said, "I'm not saying those officers in that specific circumstance were wrong or right. We're going through a process right now where we have to explain our actions and I think that's totally appropriate."

Whitman said he is absolutely concerned about the public image of the Denver Police department.

"We need the people's support, and I think we still have that," said Whitman.

Whitman stressed, "We do not tolerate any use of excessive force, only the minimal force necessary to take somebody into custody is allowed by us."

The FBI said its Denver office will conduct a review of the events to determine if there is a basis for a federal civil rights investigation.