Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police | News

Ford Introduces New Taurus-based Police Car

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:47:00 -0500

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

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:02:00 -0500

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.

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Bill opens threat assessments to public view

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:33:00 -0500

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.

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State’s police chiefs seek veto of guns-in-bars bill

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:03:00 -0500

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.

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Lexington Names New Police Chief

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:15:00 -0500

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

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:39:00 -0600

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

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:01:00 -0600

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.

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Division of Capitol Police Attains State Accreditation

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:27:01 -0600

Accreditation Board Cites Division as an Example to be Followed

RICHMOND, 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

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:19:01 -0600

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.

IACP and Sens. Webb, Hatch, Specter & Graham Urge Vote on National Criminal Justice Commission Act

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:09:00 -0600

Washington, DC— Members of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) from across the nation today joined Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) and leading Judiciary Committee members, Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Arlen Specter (D-PA), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), to push for final passage of the National Criminal Justice Commission Act, S. 714. The legislation, introduced by Senator Webb on March 26, 2009, was voted out of the Judiciary Committee January 19, and awaits a vote on the Senate floor.