CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – A trend of being able to hire more Charlottesville and Albemarle Police officers and trainees is also the case with Virginia State Police with a record 92 trainees for their new 144th basic session. They actually started with 98 at a June 25 orientation in the State Police headquarters in North Chesterfield, but there’s a usual attrition as the process continues. It’s still the largest contingent since 2018’s 129th Basic Session, and the 144th is still expected to pick more trainees during the 28-week course process.

Police recruitment became dicey especially after the 2020 George Floyd incident as fewer people wanted to be officers, and officer retainment also became challenging. The challenges started prior to that with Charlottesville Police as city officer recruitment and retention suffered after 2017 with public reaction to the police response. However, both Albemarle Police Chief Sean Reeves and Charlottsville Police Chief Michael Kochis have both experienced increased interest and hiring over the past couple of years. And now VSP attributes their large class this year to a new Troopers Rise Above recruitment campaign.

Included among the trainees is former TV reporter Robert Castillo from Bluefield, WV. “For me, law enforcement was my first true love. I just never really pursued it, so I figured life’s too short not pursue your dreams,” Castillo said.

“And so I had a real conversation with myself and decided that’s what I wanted to do.”

Jaeden Mestraud from Fairfax County had always been interested in EMS and has worked as a water safety instructor and lifeguard for seven years. “So, SRT, search and recovery, works with me really well,” Mestraud said.

The Troopers Rise Above program also has a Pathway to Trooper program which offers employment opportunities to young adults before the reach the 21-years of age required when they can join a Basic Session. The program entices potential trainees by encouraging “small town trooping” that’s not just law enforcement, but saw you are also “mentors, neighbors, and friends who understand the unique rhythms and needs of the towns and cities they serve.” Or a component in the recruitment campaign talks about “experience the tactical team, this elite unit tackles high-risk operations with unparalleled precision and advanced technology.”

This 144th Basic Session is scheduled to graduate January 30, 2026. The 143rd is nearly done, and they graduate August 22.