An internal investigation has been initiated by New South Wales police following the violent arrest of a disabled Indigenous teenager in the mid-north coast town of Taree.

As reported by the Guardian, the 18-year-old was arrested on Tuesday with video footage showing the Indigenous man being thrown to the ground whilst handcuffed after the arresting officer performed a 'leg sweep' manoeuvre, all whilst the teenager was having a seizure.

The forceful arrest occurred after police received reports the teenager had allegedly attempted to break into two residences, with the man arrested a short time later after being pursued by police.

Disturbing footage of the incident, which is reportedly being shared on social media platforms Facebook and Snapchat, depicts an officer leading the young man along a driveway where he stumbles, falls to the ground and begins having a seizure.

After being pulled to his feet by the officer, footage shows the teen was continually pushed forwards before collapsing again and being handcuffed.

In a subsequent sequence, the officer is seen escorting the teenager along the street whilst handcuffed before performing a leg sweep manoeuvre, resulting in a forceful throw to the ground.

The teenager was later charged with being in possession of suspected stolen goods, and was refused bail after appearing in Taree local court on Wednesday.

Speaking to Guardian Australia, the teenagers aunt said her nephew told her he thought he was going to die following the arrest.

"He said, 'I thought I was dying in the cell last night'. He said 'I couldn't move'," the aunt told Guardian Australia.

"No one deserves to be treated like that."

She said the wellbeing of her nephew, who has foetal alcohol spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, was not taken into consideration during the arrest.

"There were other ways they could have dealt with him," she said. "He wasn't resisting arrest or anything," she said.

"They nearly broke this little boy's arm. This little fella was having seizures and they didn't even have the courtesy to ring an ambulance."

The teen's aunt also suggested her nephew hit his head during the arrest, resulting in a cut on his head.

A New South Wales police spokesperson confirmed an internal investigation into the arrest had commenced, however refrained from responding to inquiries relating to medical assistance provided to the teen following his arrest.

"An internal investigation is under way after an 18-year-old man was arrested at Taree on Tuesday 15 August 2023 for alleged property offences," a NSW police spokesperson said.

"The investigation, conducted by Manning-Great Lakes police district, will examine the response and arrest made by a police officer."

The incident has drawn parallels to a previous case involving a NSW police officer, who was found guilty of assaulting a 16-year-old Indigenous boy in 2020 after performing a similar leg sweep manoeuvre.

National Justice Project chief executive, George Newhouse, was the lawyer for the victim in the 2020 case.

Mr Newhouse said he was 'concerned' the forceful leg sweep manoeuvre was still being used by NSW police.

"The leg sweep in both cases appears extremely violent and harmful to the young men," Mr Newhouse told Guardian Australia.

"I am very concerned to see this latest use of force in Taree."

The man is due to return to court in September.