Meriden Police Officer Charged In Off-Duty Road Rage Incident: Report

MERIDEN, CT — A Meriden police officer was recently charged with assault in connection with an off-duty road rage incident in Rocky Hill, according to FOX 61.

FOX 61 reports Meriden Police Corporal Allen Ganter, 57, was charged with third-degree assault and breach of peace in December after a dash cam recording showed him reaching into another man’s vehicle and punching him during a dispute at a red light in Rocky Hill.

Ganter, a school resource officer at Thomas Edison Middle School in Meriden, was suspended for five days without pay after an internal affairs investigation, and will also be required to attend de-escalation training for three consecutive years, according to FOX 61.

Meriden Police Lt. Darrin McKay confirmed Tuesday that Ganter was also removed from his assignment as a school resource officer when he was placed on administrative duty.

Ganter was then permanently removed as a school resource officer after the internal affairs investigation was completed, according to McKay.

McKay said that Meriden Police Chief Roberto Rosado was notified of the incident on Dec. 8.

“Chief Rosado was advised that a criminal investigation was on going and based on this information, Chief Rosado immediately made the decision to place Corporal Ganter on administrative duty and open an Internal Affairs Investigation to determine the nature of the incident in Rocky Hill,” McKay wrote in a news release. “As part of the IA investigation, Meriden Internal Affairs personnel met with Detective Lieutenant Phelps at the Rocky Hill Police Department to ascertain the facts and circumstances surrounding their investigation. The Rocky Hill Police report was reviewed and all of the facts and circumstances surrounding the Rocky Hill investigation were discussed.

“As a result of the Rocky Hill investigation, Corporal Ganter was arrested by arrest warrant.

“Corporal Ganter, who was cooperative with the Rocky Hill Police personnel throughout their investigation, turned himself in on the warrant back on December 20, 2023.

“The Internal Affairs investigation has since been completed and the investigation determined that Corporal Ganter did violate the Meriden Police Department’s Rules of Conduct as a result of his actions during the 12/08/23 incident in Rocky Hill. As a result, Corporal Ganter was suspended for 5 days without pay and he will be required to attend mandatory de-escalation training for three consecutive years beginning this year (2024).”

Read more at FOX 61 here.