The Victoria Police Department and B.C.'s police complaints commissioner have launched separate investigations into police conduct after a teenager alleged she was assaulted and tied to a door by officers at a city lockup.

Willow Kinloch, now 18, alleges that police mistreated her after she was taken into custody three years ago. Police have claimed that Kinloch was drunk, verbally abusive, and combative when she was picked up in May 2005.

At first police tried to take her home. When no one responded at the residence, police say she was taken to jail for her own safety. They claim she then became uncooperative.

Surveillance tape released to the media this week by Kinloch's lawyers shows the teen having a brief confrontation with a jailhouse matron. Police officers arrive, surround the teenager, and handcuff her. They also placed a nylon strap to her legs, which is then attached to the jail cell door. It's claimed that Kinloch is then left leashed to the door with limited mobility for the next four hours.

"It strikes me that that's almost like tethering a dog, and once again I question the humanity of treating an individual like that," said Cameron Ward, a Vancouver lawyer who specializes in civil liberties cases.

Kinloch's lawyer told CTV News British Columbia that police went too far.

"The fashion in which she was restrained -- the fact she was physically handled at all, the extent of force that was used -- is also extremely troubling," said Richard Neary.

The Victoria Police Department says it will investigate Kinloch's claims, but cautions the public from jumping to any conclusions based on the surveillance tape alone.

"There have been serious allegations made against this department and I can assure you that they're being taken seriously. I have directed an immediate internal investigation into this event," said Interim Victoria Police Chief Bill Naughton.

"However, it is important to recognize that the video currently being circulated by the young woman's lawyer is a snapshot of a much longer period of time in which she was in our custody."

The province's police complaints commissioner will also conduct an investigation. Dirk Ryneveld says he's concerned that Victoria police may have already prejudged the case.

"I need to ensure that there is confidence in both the police and the police complaint process," Ryneveld told CTV British Columbia. "I believe that can only be accomplished in this case by an external investigation."

Kinloch has launched a civil law suit against police. She claims she still suffers from anxiety and mental distress from the incident. The lawsuit is expected to go before the courts this summer.

The province's police complaints commission has also launched an investigation into the conduct of a Victoria Police Department officer involved in an incident with another man. In that case, the man claims he received a serious head injury at the same lockup that Kinloch was taken to.

Victoria police had investigated that incident and dismissed the complaint. Ryneveld has now ordered a complete review of that case, which is also before the courts.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Jim Beatty