ABC Enforcement Bureau Recertified

Today, the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) recertified the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority’s (ABC) Bureau of Law Enforcement Training Academy, reaffirming its status as an authorized in-service academy. The recertification is required every three years and involves a thorough examination of the academy’s administration, personnel, instruction and facility standards and policies, to ensure compliance with DCJS standards. ABC’s training academy was last certified in April 2018.

“Virginia ABC’s Bureau of Law Enforcement is proud of its commitment to providing a comprehensive training program to ensure the highest caliber service to our partners in the community and for, once again, earning recertification. The training is critical to support an ongoing culture of professionalism and accountability,” said Virginia ABC Chief Executive Officer Travis Hill.

Virginia ABC’s in-service enforcement training academy is authorized to provide all required in-service training to its entire sworn cadre. This includes at least 34 hours of career development training, two hours of cultural diversity training and four hours of legal training, 40 hours total, every two years. Career development training also encompasses firearms training and other skill-based training such as defensive driving and defensive tactics.

New agents who have not been previously certified as police officers are required to first complete an authorized entry-level academy at the Central Virginia Criminal Justice Academy in Lynchburg. The new agents are required to complete approximately 26 weeks of entry-level training in accordance with the DCJS minimum standards for police officers in the commonwealth.

Virginia ABC is accredited by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC), a distinction that also requires a rigorous evaluation of the authority’s policies related to training to ensure compliance with the highest standards and best practices. This accreditation process, which is broader in scope, involves an evaluation by an independent panel of certified assessors who measure four performance areas including administration, operations, personnel and training against established criteria.

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The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) is a major source of revenue for the commonwealth, contributing more than $2.3 billion to the general fund in the last five years. Virginia ABC currently operates 392 state stores, and provides alcohol education and prevention programs for people of all ages. Its Bureau of Law Enforcement oversees approximately 19,000 ABC licensed establishments. Now marking its 87th year, ABC remains committed to progress and innovation in carrying out its vision of bringing good spirits and excellent service to Virginia.

Web:  www.abc.virginia.gov    Facebook: @VirginiaABC and @SpiritedVirginia    Instagram: @spiritedvirginia    Twitter: @VirginiaABC