The Shadow
RICHMOND — As the Virginia State Police continues its efforts to close the gap on vacancies within its ranks, a special recruitment campaign is being used in theaters in five states.
A 30-second Virginia State Police promotional video is playing on movie screens in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia through Aug. 1.
On March 20, the Virginia State Police welcomed its 130th generation of new troopers to its academy. This is the first class in the department’s history that has hired applicants to particular vacancies within the field divisions.
Traditionally, trooper-trainees would not find out their first patrol assignments until midway through their academy training.
“What may seem like a simple change in process is really a seismic shift for the Virginia State Police,” said Col. Gary T. Settle, State Police Superintendent. “For more than 85 years, new troopers and their families had to wait to find out where they would live and work after graduating the academy. In today’s society, such a delay is too much of a burden for families having to relocate on short notice and has been a deterrent for some even applying to us. By hiring to existing trooper vacancies in the field, we are already seeing positive results within our recruitment efforts to attract qualified candidates.”
The department welcomed 80 new troopers to its ranks Feb. 15 upon their graduation from the academy.
The Virginia State Police Academy is preparing for 79 new trainees as part of the 130th Basic Session.
The Virginia State Police is actively hiring for the 131st Basic Session, which is scheduled to begin in early 2020. Trainees are paid while attending the state police academy and a year after graduation will earn $48,719.
Those assigned to Northern Virginia receive additional compensation due to the region’s higher cost of living.
To meet a recruiter and discover what all a career with the Virginia State Police has to offer, go to www.vatrooper.com.
