Enforcement

Sound governance, bold leadership, innovation, resourcefulness and community partnerships during an unprecedented year have earned the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) the Alcohol Law Enforcement Agency of the Year award from the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association (NLLEA). The NLLEA is a non-profit association of law enforcement personnel in the U.S. and Canada dedicated to the enforcement of liquor laws and regulations.

“The NLLEA’s award for Alcohol Law Enforcement Agency of the Year is given to an agency that has demonstrated effectiveness through the implementation of innovative programs, community and media recognition, and model training programs, practices and strategies,” said NLLEA President Greg Croft. “Virginia ABC’s Bureau of Law Enforcement has embodied all of these attributes over the past year, and the NLLEA is pleased to honor them.”

“It’s an honor to receive national recognition from our peers,” said Chief Law Enforcement Officer Tom Kirby. “Throughout this extraordinary year, both sworn and non-sworn staff have worked around-the-clock to carry out our mission, adjusting and adapting whenever needed. It was truly a team effort.”

This is the third time Virginia ABC has received NLLEA’s Alcohol Law Enforcement Agency of the Year award. The Bureau previously won this award in 2017 and 2002.

Virginia ABC special agents are an integral part of maintaining a safe, orderly and regulated system for responsible consumption of alcohol. Special agents are vested with statewide police authority to enforce the criminal laws of the commonwealth. 

Learn more about a career in ABC law enforcement.

ABC’s Bureau of Law Enforcement understands that this pandemic has greatly affected licensed businesses. Their success is our top priority. In this ever-changing climate, ABC will continue to provide our licensees with relief from regulatory challenges in areas where we have the authority to do so. For information on our regulatory updates, see our COVID-19 Licensee Resources page.

Because laws and cultural traditions surrounding alcohol and alcohol consumption differ throughout the world, Virginia ABC translated important alcohol-related laws into Spanish to better serve Hispanic citizens and businesses. Read more.

Are you planning to move alcoholic beverages with your household goods into Virginia? The Code of Virginia (COV 4.1-310) prohibits the transportation or importation of more than one gallon of alcohol into the state per individual per occasion. For one gallon or less, you do not need any paperwork. Read more.