Virginia State Trooper Judy A. Roach, a resident of Lunenburg, was one of 49 troopers who reported to their respective Division Headquarters to begin the final phase of their training last week.

According to a March 13 Virginia State Police (VSP) press release, the 125th Basic Session celebrated its graduation on March 10 at the State Police Academy in North Chesterfield County.

The release said upon receiving their diplomas, the new troopers completed a 29 week training session.

“They received instruction in more than 100 different subjects spanning hundreds of hours,” VSP officials said. “Academy training includes … areas as crime scene investigation, survival Spanish, judicial procedures, self-defense, cultural diversity and firearms.”

Officials said in the release said that Roach was one of six troopers who began their new assignments March 13 and will spend the next six weeks with a field training officer learning her new patrol areas and day-to-day duties.

The release said Roach was led to VSP by its good reputation.

“She has degrees in criminology and criminal justice from Longwood University,” VSP officials said. “Her first assignment will be in Dinwiddie County.”

Officials said as the need for highly-skilled and capable law enforcement officers increases, the department continues to seek qualified applicants for trooper and commercial vehicle enforcement officer positions.