Vancouver police Const. Jana McGuinness says the three police officers were arrested without incident are are co-operating with the investigation. (CBC)

Three Metro Vancouver police officers were arrested Wednesday for an alleged robbery and assault after an altercation involving a newspaper delivery man, Vancouver police said.

The three off-duty officers were arrested without incident by Vancouver police, who were responding to a 911 call at 2:30 a.m. about a fight in the 600 block of Burrard Street in downtown Vancouver, Const. Jana McGuinness said.

The three officers are from the West Vancouver, New Westminster and Delta police departments. Their names and ages are not being released.

"The men were initially arrested for assault and robbery … and the investigation is continuing," McGuinness said.

"We are not at a point where charges have been laid or where we can recommend anything to Crown counsel."

The newspaper delivery man, 47, of Surrey, was believed to be working at the time of the fight outside the Hyatt Regency Vancouver hotel on Burrard Street near Georgia Street, McGuinness said.

"What led up to the altercation is still something investigators are looking into. We don't want to speculate at this point. There's some more interviewing to be done," she said.

An ambulance was called to the scene, but no one was taken to hospital.

The three officers were co-operative McGuinness said. They were released Wednesday night without charges being laid.

'Unfortunate'

Delta police spokeswoman Const. Sharlene Brooks said the Delta officer involved is a patrol constable who has been with the force for three years.

"It's unfortunate that one of our officers is involved in a situation in which he is now under investigation. It's very disappointing," she said Wednesday.

"As soon as we can gather more information, a determination will be made as far as whether he is suspended immediately or whether he's reassigned to administrative duties until we can gather further information."

Delta police have asked the B.C. Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner to order an investigation into the conduct of the officer.

West Vancouver police said their officer under investigation is a junior constable. The New Westminster Police Service did not provide any information about their officer involved in the incident. Both forces said they've contacted the police complaint commissioner about the conduct of their two officers.