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Virginia State Police Superintendent Col. Gary T. Settle Selected to Receive 2024 VACP President's Award
Settle was recognized by the 2023-24 VACP President Chief Craig L. Branch (Germanna Community College) for his exemplary service to Virginia law enforcement and the Commonwealth.
Each year, the President of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation selects an individual for the VACP President's Award to recognize their exemplary service to the Association, the Virginia law enforcement community, and the Commonwealth.
This year, VACP President Chief Craig L. Branch is proud to recognize Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police.
Re-appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin in January 2022, Colonel Settle is the 13th Superintendent to lead the Virginia State Police. He oversees the Department's mission to secure the Commonwealth of Virginia through leadership, collaboration, and community engagement.
During his more than three decades of service in law enforcement, Colonel Settle has served the Commonwealth of Virginia at the state and local levels. He was initially appointed Superintendent by then-Governor Ralph Northam in 2018 after having served as the Director of the Department's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) since 2017 and as its Deputy Director from 2015 to 2017. The Rappahannock County native graduated from the Virginia State Police Academy in 1986 as Class President of the 78th Basic Session. His first patrol assignment was in Frederick and Clarke counties in the State Police Culpeper Division.
Colonel Settle took a four-year break from the State Police in 1996 to serve as the Rappahannock County Sheriff. Since returning to State Police as Superintendent, Colonel Settle has served on the VACP's Virginia Highway Safety Committee
"Colonel Settle's broad experience and collaborative nature has been a blessing to those of us in local or campus law enforcement," said 2023-24 VACP President Chief Craig Branch, Germanna Community College Police. "He works closely with all of us and has ensured that his troopers are side-by-side with us when we deal with crisis situations in our communities or on our campuses. He is a true friend to all Virginia law enforcement. It is my honor to present Virginia State Police Superintendent Colonel Gary Settle with the 2024 VACP President's Award."
