A nine-second video showing a Fort Collins, Colorado, police officer throwing a 22-year-old woman to the ground has gone viral.
Police say the arrest technique, which appears to have landed the woman face-first on brick ground, was relatively standard. Officials with the department also said the woman assaulted the officer beforehand.
Police say officers were dispatched Thursday night following a report of a “separated disturbance” between two men near Bondi Beach Bar in Old Town. As officers gathered information related to the fight from employees, the girlfriend of one of the suspects allegedly “shoulder-checked the bouncer and an officer and then pulled her boyfriend from the area,” Fort Collins Spokeswoman, Kate Kimble told The Coloradoan.
“The officers told her that her boyfriend was not free to leave but that she could go,” Kimble elaborated. “She remained at the scene, at which time she physically obstructed and struck an officer.”
Kimble then said the officer implemented what she referred to as a “standard arrest control” to contain the woman. According to jail records, the woman’s name is Michaella Surat.
A witness who captured a portion of the incident posted it online. The clip shows what looks like an altercation between a woman and a police officer in Old Town Square. Seconds later, the woman and officer get into a scuffle before he throws her to the ground.
Seems excessive #ColoradoStatepic.twitter.com/rtfzgBs4Yk
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 8, 2017
“As this is still an open case, body camera video is not being released at this time,” said Kimble.
Surat is reportedly a Colorado State University junior. She was arrested and booked at Larimer County Jail on charges of third-degree assault and obstructing a police officer. Sarat, who posted $1,750 bail, is due in court on Wednesday.
Body-worn police cameras also captured the incident. All District 1 officers wear the devices.
