Arrest video prompts charge against cop

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - An Albuquerque police officer faces battery charges, and two other officers have been pulled from field duties for how they handled suspects in recent incidents.

In one, police lapel video shows an officer hitting a suspect after he clearly gives up, says he surrenders and lies on the ground.

The video was released publicly Thursday afternoon at Albuquerque Police Department headquarters after KRQE News 13 filed a lawsuit to get the department to release it under the state public-records law.

News 13 asked for it in early July. The incidents happened in late May.

Police first said News 13's request sparked an internal and criminal investigation so the video couldn't be released until the case was completed.

But it was released at an afternoon news conference even though the criminal investigation is not wrapped up.

Video from the officers' lapel cameras from May 31 shows four suspects apparently involved in a drug deal at a community center near Tennessee Street and Copper Avenue NE.

Two suspects took off and police caught up to them at an apartment 20 minutes later.

This video shows Officer Shad Solís kicked in the door and entered without a warrant.

Officer Connor Rice zapped a man with Taser darts at least three times; Officer Solís hit him with at least one more.

About an hour later the final suspect was seen in the back of the apartment.

The suspect is heard saying on video "I surrender" and voluntarily placed himself on the ground face down with both hands behind his back.

Officer Ronald Surran places his foot on the suspect's head, and Rice strikes the suspect in the head three times.

"Obviously very disappointed in the actions of the officers," APD Chief Ray Schultz said during the news conference. "We do not train to this level. Officers are held to the highest standards."

Rice has been charged with battery and aggravated battery and placed on paid leave.

Solís is on administrative duties until the investigation wraps up, and Surran is on military leave.

Schultz said there are still more people to be interviewed, and there could be more charges.

"There's other interaction with other officers, other actions that are concerning to us," Schultz continued. "What I would describe as lack of intervention by other officers, again of great concern."

The results of APD's internal investigation will be turned over to the District Attorney's Office, and the FBI is also involved for any potential civil rights violations.

There is a lot of lapel camera video to go through. News 13 is sifting through it all and preparing a step-by-step report on the incident on News 13 at 10 p.m.