Body Cam Video from August 29, 2021 Arrest and Pending Lawsuit

We want to provide the community with accurate information regarding an incident that occurred on August 29th, 2021, the subsequent reviews conducted by our department, and a pending lawsuit related to the case. On August 29, 2021, Fort Collins Police officers were dispatched in response to a report of two individuals trespassing on the rooftop of a business. After contacting the suspects and establishing probable cause for the Trespassing offense, Fort Collins Police Officers attempted to serve a criminal summons to one of the suspects, Andru Kulas, with the intention of releasing him. However, during the attempt to serve Mr. Kulas with the summons, he refused to accept and sign it, leading to his subsequent arrest. Following the incident, the court concluded there was probable cause to support the charges and a bond was set. Upon receiving an allegation of excessive use of force from Kulas, Fort Collins Police Internal Affairs initiated an investigation. This internal review was conducted to determine whether the officer's actions were consistent with our established policies and procedures. Our agency is committed to ensuring that our officers adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and conduct. In addition, the City’s Citizen Review Board (CRB) conducted an independent review. Comprised of community members, the CRB independently evaluated the incident and the officer's actions. This board serves as an impartial panel to assess use-of-force incidents and ensure alignment with our agency's values and community expectations. After a thorough examination, the CRB subcommittee unanimously agreed that the officer should be exonerated of allegations of unnecessary force. On July 10, 2023, the Fort Collins City Attorney and Chief Swoboda received a pre-filing demand letter from Attorney Sarah Schielke on behalf of her client, Andru Kulas. The letter indicated their intent to file a civil lawsuit against FCPS officers, unless Fort Collins Police and the City agreed to settle the case confidentially and out-of-court for $750,000. Fort Collins Police Services did not agree with this approach, and a lawsuit was ultimately filed on August 27, 2023. Fort Collins Police Services remains committed to maintaining open communication with our community and addressing concerns transparently. We understand the significance of public trust and will continue to engage in thorough reviews of incidents involving our officers to ensure accountability and uphold the safety and well-being of our residents.