By Glenn E. Rice
The Kansas City Star
KANSAS CITY — Clay County authorities today filed misdemeanor charges against a 25-year-old Kansas City police officer, accusing him of assaulting another man during an altercation at a bar.
Cole J. Mills faces one count of third-degree assault in connection with the April 13 incident at Boomer’s Bar & Grill, 7932 N. Oak Trafficway. According to court records, Gladstone police arrived at the bar, responding to a disturbance. Once they arrived, officers saw a large crowd fighting in the parking lot. Officers used pepper spray to disperse the crowd. An officer encountered Mills, who allegedly was involved in the altercation. Mills was not on duty at the time.
The officers found a 30-year-old man on the ground, unconscious and bleeding from both sides of his head, court records said. The victim was treated at a hospital for non life-threatening injuries.
A witness told police that several people were in the bar arguing when the bouncers forced them outside. Another witness said she saw Mills standing over a man repeatedly punching and kicking him, the court documents stated.
Mills has been with the police department for about two years and is assigned with the East Patrol Division. He remains employed with the department, a police spokesman said.
Copyright 2008 The Kansas City Star