CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Fifty-two new troopers have graduated and officially joined the Virginia State Police to serve and protect the Commonwealth.
On Friday, Feb. 23 at 10 a.m., a commencement ceremony was held at the State Police Training Academy, located in North Chesterfield County, to present 52 new troopers with their diplomas as they officially join the Virginia State Police.
According to a spokesperson for the state police, the graduating class was the first to consist of both traditional trainees and members of the Expedited Law Enforcement Certified Academy –existing law enforcement professionals who have already been certified and have served at least three years in law enforcement elsewhere in Virginia.
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(Photo: Mark Morales, 8News) -
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin gives a speech at the Virginia State Trooper graduation ceremony on Friday, Feb. 23. (Photo: Mark Morales, 8News) -
(Photo: Mark Morales, 8News) -
(Photo: Mark Morales, 8News) -
A graduating state trooper posed for a photo with Governor Glenn Youngkin after receiving his diploma at the ceremony held on Friday, Feb. 23. (Photo: Mark Morales, 8News) -
(Photo: Mark Morales, 8News) -
(Photo: Mark Morales, 8News) -
(Photo: Mark Morales, 8News)
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin attended and spoke at the graduation.
“We want more talented and dedicated law enforcement heroes like you,” Youngkin said to the new troopers at the ceremony.
The new troopers have received more than 1,300 hours of classroom and field instruction in more than 100 different subject, including de-escalation techniques and constitutional law.
After graduation, the new state troopers will now report to their individuals duty assignments across Virginia and spend an additional six weeks paired with a Field Training Officer learning their new patrol area as a final phase of training.
