Mike Pence's motorcade hits reserve policeman as it drives through Washington DC

Officer treated in hospital for minor injuries and has since been discharged, Secret Service confirms

Mike Pence later called the injured officer to apologise (John Moore/Getty Images)

Vice President-elect Mike Pence's motorcade has hit and injured a local police reserve officer.

The US Secret Service confirmed the officer was struck as he conducted traffic near the intersection of 6th and F streets in the north-west of Washington DC.

He was taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries on Wednesday.

Mr Pence later called the city’s interim Police Chief Peter Newsham and the injured officer to apologise.

The embarrassing incident comes as the scandal-plagued transition team gears up for the formal inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President.

Mr Trump and Mr Pence flew into Washington DC ahead of the ceremony which is due to take place on Capitol Hill at noon on Friday.

But the inauguration has become shrouded in controversy after it was revealed several former advisors of Mr Trump were under investigation by the intelligence services for business dealings with Russian officials.

A spokeswoman for Mr Trump said his team had “no knowledge of any investigation” but it followed further allegations that the Kremlin had compromising information about the former reality star’s private life.

On Thursday evening, Mr Trump, Mr Pence and their wives hosted the traditional inauguration ball where former Vice President Dan Quayle led the toast to the Trump-Pence ticket and the Pences danced to the Temptations’ “My Girl”.

Meanwhile a protest was held outside a pro-Trump event ” – called the “DeploraBall” after a remark by Hillary Clinton during the election campaign – in the city as demonstrators shouted and waved placards.

The crowd shouted “Nazi scum” and held signs calling the crowds “racist misogynists” as Trump supporters defiantly waved their tickets as they stepped inside.

Two rows of police wearing riot gear guarded the entrance to the club and blocked off much of the street as pro-Trump supporters arrived.

Following clashes one man was struck on the head with an object thrown by a protester.