Category: News Release

The Fourth of July means feasts, fireworks, and parties, but the Virginia State Police is asking that it include focus and sobriety as well.   The 2024 summer driving season has gotten off to a deadly start, with preliminary numbers showing 13 fatalities over the Memorial Day holiday. 

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Virginia State Police (VSP) encourage farmers to ensure their eligible farm use vehicles are compliant with the new farm use tag required by Virginia law that becomes effective on July 1, 2024.

Virginia State Police Superintendent, Colonel Gary T. Settle, has promoted a 25-year veteran of the Department to the position of Director of the Bureau of Administrative and Support Services (BASS).  Lieutenant Colonel Eric W. Gowin previously served as Deputy Director of BASS, and replaces Lieutenant Colonel Tricia W. Powers, upon her retirement.

The summer travel season is off to a deadly start in Virginia, as preliminary data indicates 11 people were killed on Virginia’s roadways over the 2024 Memorial Day Holiday weekend, including two double-fatality crashes in Goochland and Henry Counties. The number is an uptick from the 2023 Memorial Day holiday, when nine people were killed on Virginia’s highways.

With the 2024 Memorial Day weekend falling in the midst of graduation season, the Virginia State Police is reminding drivers of all ages to drive smart, safe and sober. In addition, AAA Mid-Atlantic is forecasting a four percent increase in Memorial Day travel, meaning Virginia’s highways will be even more crowded as people head to graduation events and holiday festivities. During the 2023 Memorial Day weekend, there were nine fatal traffic crashes statewide in Virginia.

The Virginia State Police is offering a first-of-its-kind employment opportunity for those interested in becoming a State Trooper, but are too young to apply. VSP policy requires State Trooper applicants to be 21 years of age by the time they graduate the Academy. The new Virginia State Police “Pathway to Trooper” program helps those 18-20 year-olds who need to find employment while waiting to apply to the Trooper Basic Session Academy.

Saint Patrick’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, providing those who want to celebrate Ireland’s most famous Saint additional hours to take in festivities.  While the opportunities to eat corned beef and drink green beer will be plentiful, Virginia State Police encourage Virginians to please designate a sober driver if you are going to be drinking over the holiday.

On Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, the Commonwealth will graduate its 140th generation of Virginia State Troopers. The 52 new troopers will be presented their diplomas during commencement exercises at 10 a.m. at the State Police Training Academy located at 7700 Midlothian Turnpike in North Chesterfield County. The Honorable Glenn Youngkin, Governor of Virginia, will speak at the graduation ceremony.

As part of its ongoing efforts to prevent and investigate human trafficking occurring within the Commonwealth, the Virginia State Police is highlighting a texting tipline and web form for the public to send anonymous tips to the department’s Human Trafficking Investigative Unit.

As we approach the holidays and the end of 2023, Virginia State Police is asking Virginians to please drive safely in the coming days, so that everyone can safely reach their holiday destinations.   Preliminary data indicates that as of Dec. 20, 2023, 813 people have lost their lives on Virginia roadways this year.  That is 76 fewer traffic deaths than in 2022 as of this same date.