After Cops Post Video of Brutal Beating in Attempt to ID Suspects, YouTube Reportedly Takes Action You Might Find Hard to Swallow

Remember the surveillance video showing six male suspects brutally beating a couple outside a club in downtown Springfield, Missouri?

Image source: Live Leak

Turns out Springfield police tried to harness YouTube in an attempt to solicit help in identifying the attackers, the Springfield News-Leader reported.

Well apparently that surveillance clip was a bit too much for YouTube.

Police on Friday said YouTube took down the video and issued cops an email saying the clip violated community guidelines, the News-Leader said.

"YouTube is all about sharing, and it can feel great to get positive feedback and attention from the community," the email said, according to the paper. "But when users receive comments or videos that attack and bully them, their experience is no longer fun or safe."

Image source: Live Leak

In addition the online video giant warned the Springfield police that more violations might mean the department might lose the ability to post videos — or even see its account permanently suspended.

The News-Leader said that while bloggers have called the assault against a white couple by six black men a hate crime, police don't believe the attack was racially motivated.

Still, the idea that Sprinfield's finest aren't alone in this crime-solving move isn't lost on police spokeswoman Lisa Cox.

"I've seen other departments use YouTube to invite assistance from the public in identifying suspects," she told the News-Leader, noting that police in Philadelphia and Kansas City have done the same thing.

More from the News-Leader:

Police believe they have identified most of the people involved in the Aug. 22 incident, which got attention across the country because of the video and thousands of viewers' reactions to it. Police say that at least two of the people believed to be suspects in the assault are incarcerated elsewhere on allegations unrelated to the Springfield assault.

No charges have been filed in the assault investigation, however.

Here's a reprise of the clip via Live Leak: