Two Vermont State Police troopers have resigned following an investigation into reports that they made racist and inappropriate comments while playing an online game, the state Department of Public Safety announced Friday.
The voluntary resignations of Nathan Greco and Nathan Jensen are effective immediately, the agency said in a statement. Both were assigned to the Westminster Barracks and have been on paid relief-from-duty status since Feb. 15
The investigation began in early February when department leadership received complaints that the troopers had used inappropriate and racist comments as they played an online game while off duty.
Not every allegation faced by the troopers was substantiated, but the information that was corroborated was determined by Commissioner of Public Safety Jennifer Morrison to be a serious violation of the Vermont State Police code of conduct.
No evidence was found to suggest that the troopers displayed bias in their police work. Both took full responsibility, expressed regret, acknowledged the damage their conduct has had on the Vermont State Police, and apologized, the department said.
Jensen was hired in July 2018. Greco was hired in October 2021.
The matter is considered closed, the statement said.