Virginia State Police graduates 55 prior law enforcement officers, 3 to be assigned to local areas

Posted: Nov 20, 2020 / 05:35 PM MST

Updated: Nov 20, 2020 / 05:37 PM MST

RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) – The Virginia State Police 133^rd Basic Session class graduated 55 prior law enforcement officers, three troopers will be assigned to local areas in Hampton Roads.

The official ceremony was Friday, Nov. 20, at 10 a.m. in a special, socially distanced, outdoor graduation at the state police Academy.

The trainees began at the academy on Sept. 28 and received over 300 hours of classroom and field training in about 50 different subjects.

In accordance with Governor Ralph Northam’s latest directives related to COVID-19, no family, friends, or media were in attendance. The class was divided into three separately-spaced groups in the parking lot and the event was streamed live via the Virginia State Police Facebook page.

“To the very day of their graduation, the dedicated men and women of this Basic Session academy class have demonstrated their ability to adapt, overcome and succeed,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent.

“Fortunately, we were able to livestream the occasion for families and friends to witness this significant milestone for their loved ones. Not only was this a unique setting for the ceremony, but this is also only the second time in the Department’s 88 year history an Accelerated Lateral Entry Program has been held.”

The Accelerated Lateral Entry Program only accepts “pre-certified Virginia law enforcement officers” who have at least three years of active-duty experience at the local or state level.

Each candidate was in good standing with their former law enforcement employer and underwent an extensive background investigative and testing process. Collectively, the 133^rd Basic Session accounts for 426 years of prior law enforcement experience.

Now, each trooper will spend six weeks with a Field Training Officer to learn his or her new patrol area.

Of the class, local troopers will be assigned in Hampton/Newport News, Norfolk/Virginia Beach, and Isle of Wight County.

133^rd Basic Graduate Assignment