Canadian police officers Mark Morelli and Chantelle Wilson earn respect from arresting woman in Hamilton

POLICE are not always praised for using force in arrests, but these officers won global support from as far as Australia as this video went viral.

POLICE are not always praised for using force in arrests, but these officers won global support from as far as Australia as this incident went viral.

The video of an arrest in Hamilton, Ontario in Canada has attracted more than two million YouTube hits and counting - as viewers thank and praise the officers for the way they handled the arrest of a woman who allegedly broke the law.

In the footage posted online, Hamilton police officers Mark Morelli and Chantelle Wilson are seen spending several minutes trying to arrest a woman who is screaming, claiming she is being hurt by them as they attempt to put handcuffs on her while she is lying on the ground.

When they eventually get her in the police car, one of the officers explains to the crowd watching and filming the incident what he was doing and why.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE ARREST? TELL US BELOW:

"Our domestic policy is very specific. Without going into detail, this young woman has broken the law, and we were attempting to place her under arrest and she began to resist," he said.

"I'm doing my best not to hurt that girl. Our mandate is to affect arrests while doing the minimum amount of damage to people as possible. And that's what I tried to do."

Doing their job ... Police officers arresting a woman in Hamilton, Ontario before they explain their actions to the crowd watching.

He added that he used "soft hand techniques," during the arrest.

"I'm not going to get into a long wrestling match with a young girl, because the longer she fights, the more likely one of the two of us is going to get hurt," he also said.

The man shooting the video questioned the amount of force being used, but the officer defended his actions.

"While it may appear to be very rough to you - and I apologise for you having to see that - but I have the lawful authority to arrest her and I am obligated to arrest her."

More than 12,000 viewers who have seen the footage on YouTube have commented on the methods police used. Many praised them for their actions.

One person, known as Scribble Nibble, posted: "Seriously, if we didn't have amazing, responsible, and respectful people like these to enforce the law, we would all be screwed. I can't believe no one stood up for him."

Cops earn respect ... Viewers on social media praise them for their interaction with those who witnessed the arrest.

Another, Emily Escalante posted: "Those Police officers were amazing, especially the male. They did not have to take the time to explain all that to the general public who were acting like absolute morons. Also it was hilarious how they kept saying "that's a girl", like it makes a difference. What are girls un able to commit crime? What a stupid comment, but an excellent way that the police dealt with the whole thing!"

Hamilton police Chief Glenn De Caire said the Hamilton police department had received over a thousand calls and emails of support, some from as far as Australia, the US and Europe, CBS Canada reports.

Personally, he was "very pleased with the amount of communication from our officers".

"What is very discouraging is we actually have citizens on scene who think the priority is to get their cellphone out and videotape this when, in fact, they should be coming to the assistance of the officer and helping us to police in our own community," De Caire said.