PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
VSPA Letterhead for All Member.JPG

May 25, 2022





Dear VSPA Members,

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I want to thank all of you for your continued membership in the Virginia State Police Association. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve on the Board of Directors for the past 12 years, and now as your President. The Board and I will continue to work for the betterment of our members whether it takes the form of improving compensation, retirement benefits, or protecting the laws that enable us to do our jobs without attack from those that would dismantle them.

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We have been busy since the new Board of Directors took office in March. I had hoped to wait and submit this message after the budget was approved, resulting in at least 48.4 million dollars in funding for compensation alone. As you all are aware, the Special Session was called due to negotiations around other funds. Our money seems to be secure, and we have just been told the General Assembly will reconvene June 1 to finish its work. I am extremely optimistic that the unprecedented investment in us will be ready as planned as the next fiscal year begins.

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Given the social changes that occurred over the last two years, COVID, the staffing shortages we have all endured, sworn and non-sworn alike, calls to end the misunderstood Qualified Immunity, and to defund the police, we have survived and successfully protected our interests very well. This was in no small way due to the efforts of our Executive Director M. Wayne Huggins. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his perseverance and dedication to our mission for the last 18 years in that role.

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Therefore, it is time that I formally recognize what many of you have heard. Wayne informed the Board at the Conference in March his decision to retire at the end of June. He will finally get to devote all the time he wants to his family. He gave that time to this Association at great personal cost over the years, as a founding member 48 years ago, Board President, and finally as Executive Director. He undoubtedly delayed his departure to steward us through unprecedented turmoil and for that I am grateful.

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It then follows that a new Executive Director and Legislative Affairs Director is needed. The Board needed to find someone with an excellent reputation affording access to the Legislators and knowledge of "how things work" within the body politic. We wanted someone with a strong relationship and knowledge of the State Police. We wanted someone who shared the values of the Association and could aid us best in our mission to serve its members.

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It gives me great pleasure to formally announce the hiring of Charles W. Carrico, Sr. as new Executive Director. Bill has begun his work effective May 15th in concert with Wayne. But Bill's work arguably began well before we hired him. Bill has 34 years of experience in public service not limited to terms as a State Senator, Delegate, and Trooper. Throughout his political career and after, Bill championed legislation aimed at improving the lives of our members, all our partners in public safety, and all the citizens of the Commonwealth. I believe he will continue to be an extremely valuable asset to our VSPA family.

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This represents the first challenge of the new Board but not the last. Be reassured that we will always act in the best interests of our Members whether sworn, civilian, or retired. Remember that this Association was founded by Troopers for Troopers, and now we are fortunate to include all employees of the Department of the State Police. We extend that mission to be beneficial to one another after you retire as well. Remember YOU ARE THE ASSOCIATION and the Board's success depends on an active membership.

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Thank you for your support and service!

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Sincerely,



Tim Confroy

President

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./TJC


Bill and Tim in Conference Room.jpg

(l to r) Timothy J. Confroy, VSPA President and Charles W. "Bill" Carrico, Sr. 

"TO BE MUTUALLY HELPFUL TO ONE ANOTHER"