Fort Collins police officer resigns after 'unnecessary use of force' in Target shoplifting arrest

The Fort Collins police officer under investigation for his use of force during a March 29 arrest at Target has resigned following a recommendation for his firing.

Video footage of the arrest was released Thursday evening.

After an internal affairs investigation, Fort Collins Police Services Chief Jeff Swoboda said Thursday that the recommendation by Officer Todd Hopkins' chain of command was for him to be fired. Swoboda was scheduled to have what's called a predecision hearing with Hopkins on Tuesday, but the officer submitted his resignation effective immediately prior to the hearing and Swoboda's final decision.

Swoboda said in an interview that when he first saw the footage, he was "disturbed" by the "unnecessary use of force" and what appeared to be actions that were inconsistent with agency training.

Read more: https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2018/09/20/fort-collins-police-officer-resigns-after-unnecessary-use-force-target-shoplifting-arrest/1374734002/