The incidents at the center of the investigation were two out of more than 216,000 handled last year.

“Public trust and accountability are paramount in our ability to serve the public,” Bolduc said.

He believed some troopers would be disappointed in some or all of the discipline meted out by the agency to the seven men.

“I know how they feel,” he said. “I’m a cop, just like you. I want you to know I have your back. But having your back isn’t a blank check for every error. ... Unfortunately, there are some mistakes that just can’t be tolerated.”

Bolduc said the state patrol is cooperating with probes by other agencies, including the FBI.

Omaha Sen. Burke Harr, who has pushed for criminal investigations and more information on the incidents and aftermath being made public, said the agency needs to let the public know more about why the troopers and administrators were fired or disciplined, and whether anyone committed crimes.

It sounds as if there was abuse of power within the patrol, he said.