News & Announcements
VEA opposes requiring local employees to begin paying share of pension costs
March 29, 2010 | Virginia News
Virginia is proposing to give local governments an option that many teachers don't want them to have -- requiring local employees to begin paying a share of their annual pension costs.The Virginia Education Association, which represents about 60,000 teachers and other school workers, has asked Gov. Bob McDonnell to amend the proposed state budget to eliminate the opportunity for local school boards and governing bodies to change their minds about paying the full retirement cost for current employees.
The organization argues that local employees should be treated no differently than state workers, who dodged the same threat this year when the General Assembly killed a proposal to require current employees to pay a portion of annual pension contributions.
Like state employees, who were promised almost 30 years ago that the state would pay the cost instead of giving them a raise, teachers say they have forgone pay increases in exchange for help on pensions.
Ford Introduces New Taurus-based Police Car
March 18, 2010 | National News
How do you top the industry’s leading police car? The Ford Crown Victoria has held that title for 15 years. When production of this model ends late in 2011, it will be replaced by the all-new Ford Police Interceptor, engineered to exceed durability, safety and performance of the current model.The all-new Police Interceptor is designed to handle the rigors of police work, including industry-leading powertrain, safety and technology innovations. Ford will also add a second Police Interceptor to the lineup, a utility vehicle to provide customers a choice of the best vehicle to suit their needs. More details will be released in the third quarter of this year.
Henrico police Toyota had sudden acceleration
March 17, 2010 | Virginia News
An unmarked 2007 Toyota Camry used by Henrico police had a sudden acceleration event this month after it had been recalled and supposedly repaired.Henrico police today acknowledged the incident in early March and said the vehicle has been taken off the road along with all other Toyota Camry models in the department.
Bill opens threat assessments to public view
March 17, 2010 | Virginia News
The legislation lets the public see the workings of teams that identify threats of violence at colleges and universities.The workings of college and university threat assessment teams would be opened to the public after violent incidents under a compromise bill passed by the General Assembly.
The compromise came after weeks of negotiations between legislators and open government advocates and now goes to Gov. Bob McDonnell, who is expected to act on it before April 21. The governor may sign, veto or amend the bill.
State’s police chiefs seek veto of guns-in-bars bill
March 17, 2010 | VACP
Calling guns in bars a "recipe for disaster," the state's police chiefs have pleaded with Gov. Bob McDonnell to veto legislation that would ease Virginia's concealed weapon laws.Virginia Beach police Chief Jake Jacocks Jr. sent a letter to McDonnell last week on behalf of the state association of chiefs comparing the combination of firearms and alcohol with drinking and driving.
"We can fully expect that at some point in the future a disagreement that today would likely end up in a verbal confrontation, or a bar fight, will inevitably end with gunfire if you sign this legislation into law," Jacocks wrote.
Lexington Names New Police Chief
March 15, 2010 | Virginia News
A 20-year veteran of the Lynchburg Police Department was named the new police chief in Lexington last Thursday.Alfred S. Thomas Jr. has accepted the offer of City Manager Jon Ellestad to succeed Steve Crowder as the city’s police chief, according to a statement released by Ellestad March 11.
State Police Mourn Loss Of Retired Superintendent Colonel Denny M. Slane
March 12, 2010 | VACP
RICHMOND – The Virginia State Police are mourning the loss of retired Colonel Denny Meade Slane, 85, who passed away Thursday, March 11, 2010, at Rockingham General Hospital in Harrisonburg, Va. Retired Colonel Slane served as Superintendent of State Police from 1977 to 1984. He was appointed to the position of Superintendent by then-Governor Mills E. Godwin and continued to serve in that capacity under Governors John N. Dalton and Charles S. Robb. Colonel Slane retired in October 1984, with 35 years of service with state police.Law enforcement celebrates success of case cooperation
March 12, 2010 | Virginia News
ABINGDON, Va. – Initially, federal prosecutor Zach Lee thought his investigation of a crack-cocaine ring would extend little further than the five men targeted.But the case quickly ballooned beyond Bristol, and eventually exposed a North Carolina-based music production company as a sham cover for the drug ring. From there, the investigation netted federal indictments against 50 people in three states, and racked up eight life sentences.
In an award ceremony Wednesday, prosecutors, police and federal officers from the 10 agencies involved in the investigation celebrated its success with Lee at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. “Once you got more information, it wasn’t just five people, it was the entire [drug] organization,” Lee, an assistant U.S. attorney, said after the ceremony.
Division of Capitol Police Attains State Accreditation
March 11, 2010 | VACP
Accreditation Board Cites Division as an Example to be FollowedRICHMOND, VA – The oldest law enforcement agency in the United States is the newest recipient of the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission accredited status.
Governor McDonnell Announces $4.9 Million in Grants to Combat Terrorism in Virginia
March 10, 2010 | VACP
RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced the awarding of $4.9 million in State Homeland Security Program grants to local police and sheriffs' departments all across Virginia. These funds will be used to acquire equipment crucial to fight crime and deter terrorist acts. Below is a complete list of the 45 departments receiving funds and the amounts awarded.
