A US WOMAN said on Thursday that her 12-year-old daughter was suspended from school following an altercation with another pupil that ended with a police officer slamming the girl to the ground.

Texan Gloria Valdez said her daughter, a student at a San Antonio middle school, suffered swelling to her temple after being thrown to the floor by the school district officer.

She admitted that the girl had fought with others before but said another pupil had started last month’s incident.

Students used mobile phones to record the officer as he struggled with the girl before slamming her to the ground.

The officer has been put on paid leave and the school board has begun an investigation.