Washington's police chief criticised a veteran detective for pulling a gun during a mass snowball fight.

Authorities said the officer is on desk duty while the case is under investigation.

Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier said she had watched video clips from the confrontation.

"Let me be very clear in stating that I believe the actions of the officer were totally inappropriate!" Lanier said in a statement. Hundreds of people were gathered for the snowball fight.

A video posted on YouTube showed a man holding what appeared to be a gun in the street.

Another video shows him telling people he is "Detective Baylor" and he pulled his gun because he was hit by snowballs.