Dashcam video shows Twin Cities officer arrest southern Minnesota officer in suspected DWI crash
Dashcam video from a Twin Cities police department shows one of its officers arresting a southern Minnesota officer accused of crashing his vehicle while driving under the influence.
Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges says the arrest occurred around midnight Thursday near West 94th Street and Lyndale Avenue South.
The suspect, identified by Hodges as 61-year-old part-time Chatfield Police Department officer Kenneth Galen, had just finished an off-duty job at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights and was in full uniform.
Hodges alleges Galen had a blood-alcohol level of 0.28, which is more than three times the legal limit.
"I've never seen this before in my career and God-willing I never see it again," said Hodges.
Hodges said he's disturbed and disappointed after watching the video. It shows a man in a police uniform carrying a gun and stumbling around after crashing his car.
"Most of us would be passed out at a .16 or something. Once you get to .30, there are very few people who can actually function," said Hodges.
The Minnesota State Fair released a statement saying Gallion had been a police officer at the Fair for 21 years. But as of now, he no longer works for them.
"He thought he was in Rochester," Hodges said. "Even if you are going to Farmington, where he is at, that is the completely wrong way to go."
The city of Chatfield also terminated Gallion. He had been working there part-time for six years.
Chief Scott Keigley said he's blindsided by what happened and that Gallion had been good at this job. He had also previously worked as a Rochester Police officer for several years.
"I'm just glad no one got hurt, including him," said Hodges. "To have someone that is drinking while doing that is rather scary, but from the professional standpoint we are better than that. That is not who we are."
Hodges says Gallion will likely face charges of DWI and carrying a gun while intoxicated. As of Friday afternoon, he remained in custody at the Hennepin County Jail.