FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- The chief of Fort Collins Police Services is stepping down. Chief John Hutto announced Tuesday that he will resign effective May 12.

The chief did not specify what led to his decision, citing only challenges the department is facing and the need for new ideas.

"The department is at a critical juncture and a time to make a change for the future is now. We faced some significant challenges over the past year and a half, and I believe the organization will benefit from new ideas and a fresh perspective," said Chief Hutto, in a taped statement.

Hutto made no mention of the release of a viral video depicting an officer slamming a woman to the ground as contributing to his decision to leave. The cell phone video of the April 6 arrest has garnered social outrage in the community, but Chief Hutto has steadfastly defended the officer's actions, saying in a statement, "rarely in use of force situations is there agreement from all the parties involved as to the appropriateness, efficacy, or necessity of its use."

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"I believe that this (chief's resignation) stems from the lawsuit that was filed by two former officers, Ofc. Kennyberg Araujo and Sgt. Francis Gonzales," said Laura Wolf, an attorney with the … law firm, which represented the two officers. "Both officers, as well as a number of other officers in the Fort Collins Police Department, have been raising complaints about race discrimination and retaliation for many years, and it was this lawsuit, I believe, that precipitated the changes that we're seeing today."

The city did not admit to any wrongdoing in the settlement agreement, but did agree to change hiring and promotional practices, Wolf said.

"I think, given the severe and pervasive discrimination that's been going on for many years, the city took the appropriate steps it needed to, to make a change in leadership.

She said the chief's resignation is just the fist step and predicts there will be other changes.

Read more at Denver7.