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Youngkin appoints Matthew Hanley as new Virginia State Police superintendent

Chris Graham
matthew hanley virginia state police
Col. Matthew Hanley. Photo: Virginia State Police

Matthew J. Hanley emerged from the national search as the choice to get the job heading up the Virginia State Police.

Hanley had been serving as the interim superintendent since Nov. 5, upon the retirement of his predecessor, Gary T. Settle.

“Col. Hanley will lead the Virginia State Police to an even greater level of public safety success — fighting crime with the most advanced capabilities, making our communities some of the safest in the nation and recruiting and retaining the most talented law enforcement workforce,” said Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who announced the appointment of Hanley on Wednesday

Hanley has a master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School (Center for Homeland Defense and Security), a bachelor’s degree from Norwich University, and is a graduate of the University of Virginia National Criminal Justice Command College and the FBI National Executive Institute.

He has been employed by the Virginia State Police since 1993, rising up through the ranks after beginning his work with VSP on the front lines as a state trooper.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to be appointed to serve as superintendent of the Virginia State Police by this administration. I will diligently fulfill the responsibilities of this office with the same pride, humility, and dedication to serve that all VSP employees exemplify every day across the Commonwealth,” Hanley said.

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham, the king of "fringe media," a zero-time Virginia Sportswriter of the Year, and a member of zero Halls of Fame, is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].