Church Leaders Request Investigation Into Fort Collins Officer Who Threw Woman in Crisis to Ground (Fort Collins, Colorado)

Mennonite church leaders in Fort Collins have formally requested an internal affairs investigation into a police officer who allegedly escalated a crisis situation by throwing a woman to the ground. The incident, which occurred in August 2021, involved a woman experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges who had been attending services at the Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship. Church staff had called 911 for medical assistance, requesting only paramedics and no law enforcement involvement.

The Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship and the ACLU of Colorado jointly sent a letter to the Fort Collins Police Services, detailing the officer’s actions as a violation of department policy and a failure to provide aid. The letter states that Officer Jason Lang unnecessarily escalated the situation, harming the woman instead of offering assistance. Church leaders argue that the incident highlights the fear many people experiencing homelessness have of encountering law enforcement, who may respond with force rather than compassion.

Pastor Steve Ramer of the Mennonite Fellowship described the moment the police arrived as the point at which the situation worsened. “In our minds, the situation deteriorated once the police showed up,” he said. “Not only does this young woman not get the help she really needs but she’s getting beat up in the process.”

Fort Collins Police Services confirmed that patrol supervisors and leadership had already reviewed the incident, including video footage from both the church and the officer’s body camera. The department’s internal affairs unit is now conducting a formal review following the submission of a complaint. The police department’s spokeswoman noted that the review is standard procedure for use-of-force incidents.

The woman involved in the incident became homeless after aging out of foster care and began attending the church’s services in January 2021. She had a history of mental health needs and substance use disorder but had never posed a threat to others at the church, according to church leaders. Renee Schmidt, the church’s director of outreach, called 911 on August 22 because the woman was acting erratically and not speaking coherently. Schmidt specifically requested medical services only, emphasizing that the woman was not armed or dangerous and that no crime had occurred.

Video footage shows that three paramedics responded to the church, where the woman sat on the back steps with Schmidt and another man. The paramedics spoke calmly to the woman and offered her medication to help stabilize her condition, which she agreed to take. Paramedics called for police assistance due to the woman’s behavior, according to the police department’s statement. When Officer Lang arrived, the woman stood up and walked away from him, prompting him to tell her to stay seated. As she continued to walk, Lang approached and forcefully restrained her, leading to the escalation of the situation.

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