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A Kingston police officer, Sergeant Eric VanAllen, has been suspended for 30 days without pay following his arrest on a charge of driving while intoxicated (DWI). The incident occurred on December 13, when state troopers responded to a 911 call about two men seemingly asleep in a vehicle at the intersection of State Route 208 and State Route 44/55 in Gardiner. Upon arrival, officers found VanAllen and another man asleep inside a 2025 Dodge Power Ram pickup truck.
VanAllen, 46, was arrested and taken to the State Police Highland barracks for processing before being released. He is scheduled to appear in the Town of Gardiner Court on January 8, 2025. The Kingston Police Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday (December 18) to suspend VanAllen without pay while the investigation continues.
The arrest and subsequent suspension have raised concerns within the community, as VanAllen is a longtime member of the Kingston Police Department. The ongoing investigation will determine any further actions regarding his employment with the department.