Officer in viral Fort Collins arrest video placed on leave

The Fort Collins police officer videotaped throwing a young woman to the ground over the weekend has been placed on paid administrative leave.

Officer Randall Klamser arrested 22-year-old Colorado State University student Michaella Surat around 11:30 p.m. last Thursday, according to Surat's arrest affidavit. A video of Klamser throwing Surat to the ground face first was shared thousands of times online and garnered international media attention. Surat, who allegedly intervened in officers' investigation of a fight, was arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault and obstructing a peace officer.

Surat is 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs 115 pounds, according to information on her booking photo. Her attorney told The Coloradoan she sustained a concussion and bruises in the arrest.

In a news release Thursday afternoon, Fort Collins Police Services said the change in Klamser's job status was not disciplinary, and was in response to "the general climate created by the public response to this incident."

Surat's arrest took place when police responded to reports of a "separated disturbance" between two men near Bondi Beach Bar in Old Town Square. While officers were talking to employees about the fight, Surat, who is dating one of the men involved in the fight, reportedly "shoulder-checked" the bouncer and an officer, and then pulled her boyfriend from the area.

The affidavit also said she grabbed an officer by the throat, "causing pain."

Fort Collins Police Chief John Hutto said in a statement the event will be "thoroughly investigated," including court proceedings and an internal review of Klamser's actions "from the perspective of policy and procedure."

An internal investigation into the incident will be conducted by the FCPS Professional Standards Unit and presented to a citizen review board, according to the release.

The department will release body camera footage of the incident once the criminal investigation into Surat is completed, according to Thursday's news release.

Coloradoan reporter Jacy Marmaduke contributed to this story.

*Information in this story has been corrected to reflect that police say Surat shoulder checked an officer and the bouncer before pulling her boyfriend from the area.