The Virginia Department of State Police , established in 1932, is the state police force for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The agency originated out of the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles as an vehicle inspection agency and an enforcer of highway laws. It is currently one of fourteen agencies within the Cabinet Secretariat of Public Safety, under the leadership of John W. Marshall, a former State Police trooper and U.S. Marshal. Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, with 31 years of law enforcement experience, was appointed as Superintendent of the Virginia State Police by then-Governor Mark Warner in October 2003.
Virginia State Police achieved its initial accreditation in 1986, and was the second state law-enforcement agency in the nation to receive such a prestigious recognition. Since then, the State Police has continually maintained its accredited status through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Inc.
As of March 2008 the Virginia State Police has a total of 2,603 employees. There are 1,520 sworn members in the Field Operations and Administrative Support Services bureaus. The remaining 401 sworn members comprise the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. There are a total of 682 civilian employees working in all three bureaus.
According to the Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics Survey conducted in 2000, the Virginia State Police was the 30th largest police department and 9th largest state police/highway patrol in the nation with 1,883 sworn members. In a more recent survey conducted in 2006 by the FBI the Virginia State Police was still ranked 9th in size among state police and highway patrols, with 2,610 employees(1,945 sworn & 665 civilian).
The Virginia State Police is the largest police agency in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Brief History
In 1919 the Virginia State Police was conceived with the passing of The Automobile Acts which stated that the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and his assistants were vested with the powers of sheriff for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this law. The Secretary of the Commonwealth continued to be responsible for this regulation. The burden of enforcement still remained with sheriffs and constables in counties and police officers in the cities and towns.
The Motor Vehicle Act was passed in 1919, creating the first title laws for Virginia motor vehicle owners.
In 1932 inspectors became empowered to enforce criminal codes, as well as motor vehicle codes. In doing so, legislators created a state enforcement group with the power of arrest anywhere in Virginia. A mobile enforcement agency was now ready for duty wherever civil strife or emergency conditions might exist that would warrant police personnel to ensure peace and security. It was at this time that inspectors began to be known as " troopers ."
On November 3, 1938, an executive order from Majors Bishop and Nicholas officially adopted the title of " State Trooper ." The purpose of this was to identify specific members of the Division of Motor Vehicles performing in the roles of inspector and motorcycle deputy.
On March 14, 1942, the General Assembly abolished the existing Division of Motor Vehicles and created two separate agencies: The Division of Motor Vehicles and The Department of State Police . The act called for the position of a superintendent for the State Police and a commissioner for the Division of Motor Vehicles. Major C. W. Woodson, Jr. was officially appointed as superintendent for the State Police.
Trooper's Pledge
"Humbly recognizing the responsibilities entrusted to me as a member of the Department of State Police, an organization dedicated to the preservation of human life and property, I pledge myself to perform my duties honestly and faithfully to the best of my ability and without fear, favor or prejudice.
"I shall aid those in danger or distress, and shall strive always to make my State and Country a safer place in which to live. I shall wage unceasing war against crime in all its forms, and shall consider no sacrifice too great in the performance of my duty.
I shall obey the laws of the United States of America and of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and shall support and defend their constitutions against all enemies whomsoever, foreign and domestic. I shall always be loyal to and uphold the honor of my organization, my State and my Country."
Prior to graduation every trooper trainee dedicates the Troopers Pledge to memory, honoring those who have come before them, reciting it during the graduation ceremony.
Rank Structure
Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI)
- Lieutenant Colonel
- Major
- Captain
- Lieutenant
- First Sergeant
- Senior Special Agent
- Special Agent (pay raise)
Uniform and Equipment
In 1931 to honor the men who fought the bitter battles of the Civil War 70 years before, blue shirts were selected for the Union and gray pants for the Confederacy. The standard Class A Trooper uniform consists of a light gray colored button-up shirt, with long sleeves in winter and short sleeves in summer. A black tie is worn with the long-sleeve shirt. Patches are sewn to each sleeve. Gray pants with a Dark Blue stripe down the sides are worn year round. Black Clarino shoes and Sam Browne belt, without cross strap, gun belt are worn with the uniform.
Virginia State Police, along with the Maryland State Police, the West Virginia State Police, the Massachusetts State Police, Georgia State Patrol, the Virginia Capitol Police, and the Henrico County Police of Virginia, wear a badge directly over their shirt pocket. Virginia, Maryland and Michigan State Police all utilize the same style badge, however Maryland's is gold and the Virginia and Michigan state police badges are silver.
A black semi-gloss straw Campaign hat is worn year round. A modified winter fur cap can be worn in the colder months.
A dark blue dress blouse and standard black Clarino Sam Browne gun belt, without the cross strap, are worn for special occasions. Dark blue work jackets are utilized for colder months.
Sergeants and First Sergeant wear silver, out lined in blue, chevrons showing their rank on both sleeves.
Issued Weapons
Troopers are issued the Sig Sauer P229 .357 sig DAK pistol, the Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun, and a Colt M4 Carbine patrol rifle.
Previous Issued Weapons
Sig Sauer P229 DA/SA .357 sig Issued from 1997 to 2004
Sig Sauer P228 DA/SA 9mm Issued from 1993 to 1997.
Smith and Wesson S&W Model 1026 10mm DA/SA 5inch barrel stainless semi-auto pistol Issued from 1990 to 1993.
Smith and Wesson S&W Model 64 .38 caliber 4 inch barrel stainless steel revolver issued in mid 1970's to 1990.
Colt Officers Model .38 caliber 4 inch barrel revolver was used from 1967 until the mid 1970's.
Colt .38 caliber 6 inch barrel Official Police Special revolver was used up until 1967.
Thompson submachine gun .45 caliber Used from the 1930s until 1974.
Issued Vehicles
The department has used many different makes and models since its inception.
Motorcycles
In 1924 DMV created a motorcycle patrol force and all inspectors were issued one. Indian and Harley-Davidson motorcycles were used until 1954. In 1987 the Department re-instituted the use of motorcycles and purchased Harley-Davidson FXRP's. Kawasaki KZ1000's were purchased in 1992 and two BMW R1100RT-P's were purchased in 2001. Since 2002 only Harley-Davidsons have been used.
Patrol Cars
Prior to 1928 inspectors only used automobiles once they had seized a vehicle used to transport illegal whiskey and it had been released to the Division for enforcement purposes by the courts. Fords became the first issued patrol vehicles in 1928. In 1932 white Chevrolet roadsters and white motorcycles were purchased and became known as the "The Great White Fleet". Fords and Chevys were the main staple of the patrol force in the 1930s and early 1940s. In 1945 post-war acquisitions of police vehicles were rare and troopers made arrangements to purchase vehicles wherever they could. Buicks and Pontiacs supplemented the fleet until auto manufacturers resumed normal production.
In 1948 the Department adopted the distinctive blue and gray paint scheme for all vehiles. Later in 1952 reflective markings were adopted and used for all marked vehicles. Those same markings are still in use today.
During the 1940s, 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's the Department purchased Fords, Chevy's, Chryslers, and Plymouths for use as patrol cars. Ford's and Chevy's were used mainly
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