School resource officer investigated for inappropriate relationship with Vinal Technical High School student

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (WFSB) - A school resource officer (SRO) at Vinal Technical High School in Middletown was under investigation after his wife reported he had an inappropriate relationship with a 17‑year‑old female student.

According to law enforcement records and public reporting, the complaint was filed against 39-year-old State Trooper Timothy Haroian with state police on January 15, 2025, after Haroian’s wife reported she suspected her husband was having an affair with a student.

Investigators interviewed the student and her parents the following day.

According to an investigating officer, the victim’s mother, who also worked as the trooper’s hairdresser, claimed that her daughter would deliver meals to Haroian at school.

After initially denying claims that the victim had an inappropriate relationship with the trooper, it was determined that their text conversation began on November 16, 2024.

A search warrant signed on January 24, 2025, allowed investigators to seize Haroian’s phone.

The file describes 4,000 texts between Haroian and the student, many of which were sexual in content.

The texts include the victim writing, “Get unmarried so we can make our dreams come true,” and Haroian saying, “Take some good pics this weekend, especially sexy ones.”

The girl told investigators, “He never text[ed] anything sexual, and it was mainly jokes and light banter”.

Haroian confessed to the investigating officer on the phone that he had engaged in inappropriate communication but denied any physical contact, saying he “would not have done anything” until she turned 18.

State police placed Haroian on administrative leave on January 17, pending an internal affairs investigation.

Authorities reported they found probable cause to pursue a criminal charge of harmful communication with a minor but took no further legal action, citing concerns from the victim’s family about possible emotional impact from prosecution.

On February 13, 2025, the Middletown State’s Attorney’s Office decided not to prosecute the charge of harmful communication with a minor.

As a result, the investigation was suspended.

According to the state police, Haroian was immediately removed as an officer at Vinal Tech and was placed on paid administrative duty during the investigation.

Connecticut Technical Education and Career Systems, who owns Vinal Tech, said they were made aware of the situation on Jan. 16 when a DCF report was filed against Haroian.

State police said they learned of the incident after the trooper’s wife reported she suspected her husband was having an affair with a student.

CTECS also confirmed a new school trooper was permanently assigned to the school.

Those in the community think Haroian should lose his job.

“To start texting somebody and making suggestive comments to a 17 year old, completely inappropriate. The officer should lose his job,” said Michael Gilson, Middletown. “He should not have a job any longer. That’s completely inappropriate. It doesn’t matter who started it or what.

“Anybody that does what he does should go to jail,” said Carl Logen, East Haddam.

Since Jan. 15, Haorian has been on non-patrol paid administrative duties. State police are still conducting an internal affairs investigation.