12 unvaccinated Massachusetts troopers fired

The troopers were let go Friday after an internal hearing process, according to State Police spokesman David Procopio. None of those fired are the seven troopers participating in an ongoing lawsuit over the mandate.

Baker, on Aug. 19, issued an executive order — No. 595 — requiring that all employees of the state’s executive branch, which includes the State Police, to be vaccinated with only “limited exemptions” on religious or medical disability grounds. The order took effect in October and is enforced by “progressive discipline up to and including termination.”

All of the terminated troopers had applied for exemptions under the ground provided but were denied, according to State Police Association of Massachusetts spokesman Chris Keohan. He told the Herald that there was no framework in the law to appeal those denials.