On Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, the Virginia State Police graduated 74 new Troopers and one Special Agent Accountant at its Academy in North Chesterfield County. Upon receiving their diplomas, members of the 123rd Basic Session finish a rigorous 28-week training session. The new troopers have received instruction in more than 100 different subjects spanning hundreds of hours. Academy training includes such areas as crime scene investigation, survival Spanish, judicial procedures, self defense, cultural diversity and firearms.
All six graduates from Northern Virginia are returning home for their final phase of training, which begins Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, when they report to their respective duty assignments. Each will spend the next six weeks with a field training officer learning his or her new patrol area and day-to-day duties.
Trooper Charles M. Vancampen, 23, of Manassas, pursued a career in law enforcement “to make a difference in the community.” He received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Longwood University. Vancampen’s first patrol assignment is in Prince William County.
Fairfax resident Trooper Jonathan E. Dee joined Virginia State Police because “…it is highly respected….and there is a lot of room for growth.” The 27-year-old, who is a volunteer Special Olympics swim coach, reports for duty Monday in Springfield.
An Alexandria native, Trooper Eric Thomas, 29, chose Virginia State Police because it’s “very professional.” He reports for duty in Fairfax.
Trooper Matthew E. Spalding, 24, returns home to Springfield for his first patrol assignment. Spalding earned a bachelor’s degree English from the Virginia Military Institute.
After serving five years in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Loudoun County native Trooper Toland Q. Lam, 24, wanted to become a trooper because “my family and I owe a great deal to the nation and state due to the opportunities granted to us….and my service to the Department, to the state and the nation is the least I could do.” He is a graduate of Duquesne University and returns to Loudoun for his first patrol duty.
Trooper Derek B. Stotler, 25, of Arlington, and Class President of the 123rd Basic Session earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Virginia Tech. He begins his first patrol assignment in Springfield.
