Cops from PEI, Alberta charged in Kelowna brawl

VANCOUVER – Two out of province cops have been charged with assault after a brawl outside a  Kelowna night club.

Const. Chris MacDonald, 40, of Prince Edward Island and Const. Chris Samotej, 25, of Alberta, were charged after an altercation with a group of 15 to 20 people wearing biker colours.

Vancouver RCMP did not say if the two were here for Olympic Security duty.

“As a result of the altercation, Cst Chris MacDonald, who was part of a group of about 7 friends, was taken to Kelowna General Hospital for treatment of numerous injuries. He was held overnight for observation and released the next day,” said Cpl. Annie Linteau.

She did not state whether the group of friends were all cops.

It is suspected the actions of the two cops led to the altercation.

Crown also approved charges of assault causing bodily harm against 25-year-old Kelowna resident Errol Milsom-Gardener for his alleged role in the attack on the cop from PEI.

Linteau said the assault charge against the cops stems from “a “shoulder bump” inside the night club and is believed to have instigated the much larger altercation that later took place outside.”

The two cops have been ordered to appear in court on April 22.

“An internal RCMP Code of Conduct investigation is currently being conducted. Both members remain on duty,” she said.

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