Category: News Release

On March 4th, two Virginia State Troopers were dispatched to a disabled vehicle at Interstate 64 and Battlefield Boulevard in Chesapeake. In the car was a mother, and two young kids, but no car seats. In the troopers’ own words, hear how this call ended differently than you might think….

From April 10 to April 16, 2025, the Virginia State Police, in partnership with supporting federal and local agencies, achieved significant criminal interdictions. Their ongoing efforts led to the recovery of firearms, the seizure of narcotics, the seizure of U.S. currency, and the investigation of multiple crimes throughout the Commonwealth.

Newly-appointed Virginia State Police (VSP) Superintendent Colonel Matthew D. Hanley today announced significant executive leadership changes, effective April 25th, in support of his goal to move the department forward by strengthening VSP operations and enhancing the many services and programs the state police provide residents and visitors across the Commonwealth.

 On March 11, 2025, Virginia State Police was recognized by the Virginia Public Safety Innovation Center with an award presented at the DroneResponders National Public Safety UAS Conference, taking place at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va.  

Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced the appointment of Lieutenant Colonel Matthew D. Hanley as the Superintendent of the Virginia State Police (VSP). After a nationwide search to find a replacement for former Superintendent Gary T. Settle, Colonel Hanley was selected to lead VSP based on his unmatched experience and expertise.

From January 31 to February 7, 2025, the Virginia State Police, in partnership with supporting federal and local agencies, achieved significant criminal interdictions. Their ongoing efforts led to the recovery of firearms, the seizure of narcotics, and the investigation of multiple crimes, including human trafficking, throughout the Commonwealth. 

With the changeover in the calendar year from 2024 to 2025, vehicles in Virginia that have passed safety inspections are now receiving a new safety inspection sticker. The sticker, which is utilizing the color green for the first time, includes multiple changes from previous iterations.

Preliminary data indicates that seven people died on Virginia’s roadways over the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday.  The number is a decrease from 2023, when 11 people were killed, and a large decrease from 2022, when 19 people died in fatal crashes.* 

Virginia State Police will now be issuing “CODI” or “Critical Operation for a Disappeared Child Initiative” alerts to aid in the searches of missing or endangered children. The alert was approved by the 2024 General Assembly and will be issued upon request by the investigating law enforcement agency.

As part of an ongoing effort to increase the number of prospective Virginia State Troopers in the Academy, and out on Virginia’s roads, Virginia State Police has unveiled a new recruitment website and new dedicated recruitment social media.