A white California police officer who was caught on tape hitting a black, handcuffed teenager has pleaded not guilty to assault.

Jeremy Morse appeared in court Thursday, along with his partner Bijan Darvish. Morse is accused of attacking the teen, while Darvish is charged with falsifying a police report.

Both officers pleaded not guilty, and each was released on $25,000 bail. The money was posted by their local union.

Jeremy Morse with his hands around teenager's neck

On July 6, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies stopped 16-year-old Donovan Jackson and his father Colby Chavis at a gas station because of expired licence plates on their vehicle.

Inglewood police officers, including Morse, arrived as backup.

A bystander, Mitchell Crooks, videotaped the arrest. His recording shows Morse slamming the handcuffed teen into the trunk of the car, and then punching Jackson in the face.

On Thursday, Morse's lawyer said the videotape as well as a surveillance tape from a gas station will show that "it was proper, reasonable use of force."

But the district attorney's office pointed out that the teen was restrained by handcuffs – a fact it said would be a key piece of evidence in the case.

Morse, 24, is on paid leave from the police department in Inglewood.

The man who shot the video, Crooks, has since been arrested on an unrelated warrant. He returned to northern California to serve a seven-month sentence for drunk driving, hit and run, and petty theft.

In a police report, Morse said Jackson scratched him above his ear and grabbed his testicles. He claimed he hit the teenager in self defence.

Morse and Darvish are scheduled to return to court for their next hearing Aug. 13. If convicted, they could each face up to three years in prison.