Two Victorian police officers are facing assault charges after allegedly treating an Indigenous man's head like a piñata during an arrest last August - one with a Taser, the other with a knee.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (Ibac) has charged the officers following an investigation into the force used during the arrest in Melbourne's east. According to Ibac, a Senior Constable allegedly struck the man in the head with a Taser multiple times, which is a rather creative interpretation of 'less-lethal' force. The officer has been charged with aggravated assault with a weapon.

Meanwhile, a Sergeant allegedly decided to add a knee to the man's head for good measure, earning a charge of unlawful assault. Both officers are expected to appear before the Ringwood Magistrates Court on 11 September, where they can explain their innovative approach to law enforcement.

Victoria Police were contacted for comment, but presumably they're busy reviewing their training manuals. The Ibac investigation, codenamed Operation Ginkgo, was conducted by the focused police complaints team (FPCT), which specializes in probing serious allegations of misconduct against vulnerable communities, including First Nations people. As the matter is now before the court, Ibac is keeping mum on further details - probably for legal reasons, but we like to think it's for dramatic effect.