Colorado cop slams young woman to the ground face first

A US cop is being accused of using excessive force after he was filmed viciously slamming a young woman into the ground face first.

The footage of the incident, which happened in Fort Collins, Colorado, this week, shows 22-year-old Michaella Surat backing away as she grapples with the officer, who then plants his leg and flips her over his hip, sending her smashing into the pavers.

The officer and his partner then move to pin Surat as the bystander filming inexplicably cackles with glee at the commotion.

As painful as her trip to the ground looks, Surat maintained consciousness and was still able to move. Police have contested accusations of excessive force made after the video was circulated on social media, saying that the takedown was "standard arrest control".

A spokeswoman for Fort Collins police told Coloradoan that they were called to vicinity of the Bondi Beach Bar in Old Town following reports of a fight. The spokeswoman told the website that Surat "shoulder-checked the bouncer and an officer and then pulled her boyfriend from the area."

"The officers told her that her boyfriend was not free to leave but that she could go," the spokeswoman said 

"She remained at the scene, at which time she physically obstructed and struck an officer."

A police investigation into the arrest remains open. Surat, a university student, was thrown in the tank at Larimer County Jail but walked free on $2330 bond.

She has been charged with third-degree assault and obstructing a police officer.