News Releases

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.

The final summer holiday ended on a somber note, as preliminary data shows that law enforcement investigated ten fatalities over the Labor Day Holiday.  There were two double fatal crashes, the first of which occurred Sept. 1, 2024, in Northampton County on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.   The second double fatal occurred Sept. 2, 2024, in Henry County. 

With the last major travel weekend of the summer approaching, Virginia State Police is stressing good and safe driving behaviors to ensure everyone gets to their destinations.  Virginia had a deadly start to the summer driving season, with state police alone investigating 25 deaths in the week following Memorial Day. 

On Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, the Commonwealth will graduate its 141st generation of Virginia State Troopers. The 21 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 Winsome Earle-Sears, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, will speak at the graduation ceremony.

Forty years after his brutal murder, Virginia State Police and other law enforcement continue to pursue leads in the death of Trooper Johnny Rush Bowman.  Recently, investigators have had items re-examined for possible DNA evidence, as analytical technology has improved over the years.  Federal, state and local law enforcement are hopeful that these advancements in forensic technology can shed new light on the unsolved murder of Trooper Bowman.  Investigators are also re-examining old leads for any possible new information.

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.  

Virginia experienced a 53% decrease in the number of fatal traffic crashes over the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday.  Preliminary data indicates nine people lost their lives over the five-day holiday statistical counting period, compared to 19 fatalities in 2022.*   In a majority of the crashes, those who died were not wearing a seat belt.

Thanksgiving traditionally marks the start of the winter holiday travel season.  For many Virginians, this means hitting the roads, and in some cases, travelling long distances to share time, and turkey, with loved ones. Wanting everyone to enjoy this holiday with family and friends, the Virginia State Police is reminding drivers and their passengers to always buckle up.

On Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, the Commonwealth graduated its 139th generation of Virginia State Troopers. The 31 new state troopers were presented their diplomas during commencement exercises at the State Police Training Academy located in Chesterfield County.

Statewide technology upgrades to the Virginia State Police emergency dispatch telephone systems have resulted in the non-emergency phone numbers for each of the Department’s seven field divisions to change. The new phone numbers are being phased in by division now through the end of October 2023.

Thirteen individuals died in 10 traffic crashes over the 2023 Labor Day holiday weekend in Virginia, according to preliminary reports. Half of the traffic crashes involved motorcycles, in which seven motorcycle operators and passengers lost their lives.

Labor Day weekend may traditionally signal an end to the summer season, but it certainly does not mean an end to the need for Virginians to still make traffic safety a priority.

Preliminary data indicates five individuals lost their lives in four traffic crashes during the 48-hour statistical counting period designated for the July 4, 2023, holiday.

With the Fourth of July falling on a Tuesday this year, many Virginians are preparing for a long holiday weekend. Virginia State Police is encouraging everyone to add smart, safe and sober driving to those celebratory travel plans.  

Virginia’s official and only comprehensive report on local and statewide crime figures for 2022, titled “Crime in Virginia,” is now publicly available on the Virginia State Police website.

The 2023 Memorial Day weekend proved deadly for nine drivers and passengers, to include four motorcyclists.* The holiday statistical counting period began Friday, May 26, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. and concluded at midnight Monday, May 29, 2023.

Travel and weather forecasts for the 2023 Memorial Day weekend have the Virginia State Police strongly encouraging all drivers to be prepared before heading out to any holiday destination.

The men and women of the Virginia State Police and their families will gather May 24, 2023, to honor all public safety professionals who have given the ultimate sacrifice in their service to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

RICHMOND – May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and Virginia State Police is once again offering its “Ride 2 Save Lives” motorcycle self-assessment courses across the Commonwealth, now through October.

RICHMOND – Even though it feels like spring sprung a couple of weeks ago, St. Patrick’s Day is often looked at as the unofficial start of spring and a time to celebrate with friends at pubs, parties and festivals. Unfortunately, these celebrations have resulted in St. Patrick’s Day becoming one of the year’s most dangerous times to be on the road.

RICHMOND – Whether a Chiefs or Eagles fan, a guaranteed game-day loser is anyone who chooses to drive drunk on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 12).

RICHMOND – As the options and opportunities for legal gaming in Virginia expand, Virginia State Police is launching a statewide gaming tip line and online form for the public to report concerns of suspected gaming operations.

RICHMOND – On Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, the Commonwealth will graduate its 137th generation of Virginia State Troopers.

RICHMOND – By midnight Friday (Jan. 6, 2023), the Virginia State Police had restored all but two data systems and webpages adversely impacted by an outage that occurred roughly 30 hours prior.

RICHMOND – The Virginia State Police (VSP) is steadily making progress with its ongoing restoration efforts of several data systems and webpages.

RICHMOND – The 34 members of the Virginia State Police 138th Basic Session were presented their diplomas today, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. The members of the 138th Basic Session began their eight weeks of academic, physical and practical training at the Academy on Oct. 30, 2022. 

RICHMOND – The holidays are typically a time of joy and gathering with loved ones, but this year far too many will be missing from these gatherings. As 2022 comes to an end, Virginia has seen a rise in traffic deaths.

RICHMOND – Three pedestrians and a motorcyclist were among the 14 individuals who lost their lives on Virginia highways over the 2022 Thanksgiving weekend, according to preliminary data. Of the 10 individuals riding in vehicles equipped with seatbelts, eight chose not to wear one.

RICHMOND – For many Virginians, gathering with family and friends is the true meaning for Thanksgiving. Some will even travel long distances to share in these wonderful family moments. Just as important as it is to make sure those pies and casseroles make it to the dinner table safely, motorists need to make their own safety a priority, as well. Virginia State Police is reminding all drivers and passengers of all ages to buckle up this holiday weekend.

CHARLOTTESVILLE – The criminal investigation remains ongoing into the tragic shootings that claimed the lives of three University of Virginia (UVA) students and injured two others on the evening of Nov. 13, 2022. Christopher D. Jones Jr., 22, of Petersburg, Va., had his first appearance in Albemarle County General District Court on Nov. 16, 2022 on three felony counts of 2 nd degree murder, two felony counts of malicious wounding, and five felony counts of the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Jones is being held at the Charlottesville-Albemarle County Regional Jail without bond.

RICHMOND – Virginia State Police Superintendent, Colonel Gary T. Settle, is proud to announce the appointments of three new executive staff leaders, in the wake of the retirement of the Department’s first female deputy superintendent.