The latest report on disciplinary action involving Vermont State Police troopers reveals one officer facing a sexual harassment investigation has resigned.
The twice-yearly report released Thursday from the Vermont Department of Public Safety and the State Police Advisory Commission covers the period July 1–Dec. 31, 2024.
The State Police Advisory Commission, according to its website, provides “advice and counsel” to the public safety commissioner on misconduct allegations that lead to internal investigations against Vermont State Police members.
In total, the report lists four incidents of alleged misconduct, with three of them leading to “unfounded” determinations.
The identities of the troopers, as well as identifying details of the incidents, are withheld because internal affairs investigations are confidential by law.
The reports provide only brief descriptions about the nature of each incident and alleged violation, leading to complaints that not much can be learned from them.
There are times when the identities of troopers involved in alleged misconduct do become public, particularly when criminal charges are filed.
One incident covered by the latest report involved an allegation that a state police officer violated the sexual harassment policy.
“The member resigned before the completed investigation could be reviewed and adjudicated by the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety,” the report added.
Two other incidents listed in the report involved state police internal reviews of shootings to determine whether the officers involved complied with use-of-force policies. In both instances, the cases followed separate reviews by the Vermont Attorney General’s Office and the relevant state’s attorney’s offices.
According to the report, the actions by the state police members were “determined to meet use of force policy standards.”
The fourth incident, which the report stated was determined to be “unfounded,” involved an allegation that a state trooper had violated an out-of-state fish and wildlife regulation.
