New troopers join ranks of Virginia State Police

Thirty-nine new state troopers graduated June 22 as part of the 128th generation of Virginia State Troopers, who were presented their diplomas during commencement exercises at the State Police Training Academy in Chesterfield County.

The new troopers, all of whom entered the Academy as pre-certified law enforcement officers, have received more than 300 hours of classroom and field instruction in nearly 50 different subjects, including defensive tactics, crime scene investigation, ethics and leadership, police professionalism, firearms, judicial procedures, officer survival and crisis management.

Two of the 39 graduates have Henrico connections. Benjamin Ira Bone, whose hometown is Richmond, will be assigned to Henrico County; Jason Ray Ward, whose hometown is Glen Allen, will be assigned to Hanover County.

The members of the 128th Basic Session, who hail from every corner of the Commonwealth, began their eight weeks of academic, physical and practical training at the Academy on April 26, 2018. Upon graduation, the new troopers will report to their individual duty assignments across Virginia beginning July 5, for their final phase of training. Each trooper will spend an additional six weeks paired up with a Field Training Officer learning his or her new patrol area.