A Fort Collins police officer who threw a woman, a college student, face first to the ground has been placed on administrative leave.
The change in job status for Officer Randall Klamser “is not disciplinary in nature” but “is in response to the general climate created by the public response to this incident,” according to a Fort Collins Police Department news release.
The April 6 incident was captured on cell phone video, which , garnering more than 484,230 views and 2,580 comments in a four-hour span.
Police said the 22-year-old student, Michaella Surat, had physically obstructed and struck an officer, who then used . The viral video clip, however, did not show what lead up to the violent take down.
Michaella Surat, the injured student, told “Good Morning America” on Thursday that she still has and can’t open her mouth to eat.
Police body-camera video from two officers at the scene has not been released to the public.
Fort Collins police said Thursday that the department “is committed to preserving a process that ensures fair and impartial outcomes for Ms. Surat and Officer Klamser.”
Surat was arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault and obstructing a police officer and was released on bail.
“Fort Collins Police Services is committed to releasing the videos for the sake of transparency, but not to the detriment of the rights of those involved,” the news release said. “The body camera video is part of the criminal investigation, and as such, we have a duty to try to limit publicity during the pending investigation and Ms. Suratap court proceedings.”
When Surat’s criminal case is complete, the body camera videos will be released publicly, police said.
