State Police say Cpl. Ryan Hernigle was off duty during the alleged July 31 assault and now faces three criminal charges.
GLOVERSVILLE, N.Y. A Gloversville police officer arrested after a misconduct investigation is facing assault, falsifying business records and official misconduct charges, according to current reporting that cites New York State Police. Cpl. Ryan Hernigle, 43, is accused of assaulting a person on July 31 while he was off duty. He is scheduled to return to Gloversville City Court on Sept. 9.
State Police investigation leads to arrest
New York State Police arrested Hernigle on Thursday, Sept. 3, following an investigation into alleged misconduct. CBS6 Albany reported that State Police said the underlying assault took place July 31, when Hernigle was not working.
The charges reported against Hernigle are:
- Assault
- Falsifying business records
- Official misconduct
Authorities have not publicly released enough verified detail to explain the exact sequence of events that led to each charge. For that reason, this report does not speculate about the alleged victim, the circumstances of the encounter or what records prosecutors say were falsified.
Hernigle remains on administrative leave
The Gloversville Police Department told CBS6 that Hernigle is on administrative leave. The Times Union reported on Aug. 30 that he had been on paid administrative leave since Aug. 18 while authorities reviewed what the department described at the time as a personnel complaint.
That earlier report said Gloversville police officials declined to disclose the substance of the complaint while the investigation was active. Hernigle did not respond to the newspaper’s request for comment at that time.
The arrest now gives the public more information about the criminal side of the investigation, but it does not resolve the case. Criminal charges are allegations. Hernigle is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Police union calls for due process
The Gloversville Police Benevolent Association acknowledged the arrest and emphasized Hernigle’s legal rights.
“Cpl. Hernigle is presumed innocent and is entitled to due process.”
That principle matters in any criminal case. It is especially important when the accused is a law enforcement officer, because public concern can be intense and the facts may develop over time through court filings, hearings and official statements.
Hernigle also serves in Fulton County government
Hernigle holds another public role outside the police department. Fulton County’s official website lists him as the Ward 2 representative for the City of Gloversville on the Fulton County Board of Supervisors.
The Times Union reported that Hernigle has recused himself from county matters involving the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office while the investigation is pending. Board Chairman Joseph DiGiacomo told the newspaper that Hernigle had stepped aside from discussions when he believed the matter could create a conflict.
His dual roles make the case a matter of public interest beyond the police department because he serves residents both as a law enforcement officer and as an elected county official.
Why official misconduct cases deserve careful reporting
Official misconduct allegations can quickly damage trust in public institutions, but responsible reporting requires separating verified facts from assumptions.
At this stage, the verified public record supports several key points:
- Hernigle is a Gloversville police corporal.
- State Police say an alleged assault occurred July 31 while he was off duty.
- He faces assault, falsifying business records and official misconduct charges.
- He is on administrative leave from the Gloversville Police Department.
- He is due back in Gloversville City Court on Sept. 9.
- He also serves as the Ward 2 representative on the Fulton County Board of Supervisors.
What has not yet been publicly verified in detail is equally important. Available reports do not establish the identity of the alleged victim, the precise conduct that forms the basis of the assault charge, or the specific record that authorities allege was falsified. Those gaps should not be filled with rumor.
What happens next
The next scheduled court date is Sept. 9 in Gloversville City Court. Court proceedings could provide additional information about the charges, including the factual allegations and the legal level of each offense.
The Gloversville Police Department may also conduct its own internal review separate from the criminal process. Administrative discipline and criminal prosecution are different processes and do not necessarily move on the same schedule.
For residents, the central issue is accountability without abandoning due process. Police officers hold significant public authority, and allegations of misconduct deserve independent scrutiny. At the same time, an arrest is not a conviction.
Public trust depends on facts and transparency
This case will now move through the courts, where evidence and legal arguments can be tested. The public should expect clear information from law enforcement and local government as verified facts become available.
Utica Phoenix will continue to follow the case, including Hernigle’s Sept. 9 court appearance and any official updates from New York State Police, the Gloversville Police Department or Fulton County.
Sources: CBS6 Albany reporting published Sept. 3, 2026; Times Union reporting published Aug. 30, 2026; Fulton County Board of Supervisors official directory.
