State Police Commissioner Higgins stresses his “full confidence” in IA officers investigating alleged sex scandal at State Office Building. Trooper has police powers suspended after trying to enter building.

Ronnell Higgins, commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), twice emphasized his “full confidence” in his agency’s ability to conduct a thorough, fair and efficient investigation of the alleged sex scandal that may involve three Troopers and a member of a private security firm. Higgins memorialized and updated previous conversations with the four statewide elected officials who have their offices at 165 Capitol Avenue in Hartford, known as the State Office Building. The four are Treasurer Erick Russell, Comptroller Sean Scanlon, Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, and Attorney General William Tong.

The building long ago included the office of young Peter Falk, years before he gained television immortality as intrepid detective “Columbo”. Internal Affairs investigators may need some of the deceptively cunning detective skills Falk displayed on the popular show that was seen for decades on broadcast television. Internal police investigations provide a thicket of obstacles to investigators straining through employment contract provisions and labor law requirements.

The Higgins letter confirms the investigation of alleged “misconduct” at the building that “may have involved sexual activity” between one Trooper and a security employee that may have occurred at the building. State Police command at Troop H in Hartford were notified on the evening of Friday, January 16th that something was amiss at 165 Capitol Avenue. The three troopers were immediately reassigned by Colonel Daniel Loughman. A few days later, a half dozen internal affairs officers were seen in the building, likely examining the small office provided to State Troopers assigned to the building. They are also thought to have reviewed video recordings from the many cameras in the building.

On January 23rd, Loughman placed one Trooper on administrative leave and suspended his police powers after learning he attempted to enter the building “purportedly to retrieve personal items.” That attempt to enter the building was denied.

Higgins and Loughman are said to be dismayed at what they have learned so far. Higgins, who headed the Yale University police force before joining the Lamont administration, is hoping for a quicker than usual completion of the investigation that may bring considerable embarrassment on the agency.

Published January 28, 2026.