Virginia State Police Leaders Are Calling On Lawmakers To Put A Plan In Place That’ll Address The Many Issues The Agency Is Facing, Including Stagnant Salaries And Staffing Shortages. The Richmond Times-Dispatch Reports State Police Col. W. Steven Flaherty Told A Legislative Committee Recently That The Agency’s Budget Has Been Slashed By More Than $100 Million Since 2006. Flaherty Said They’re Losing About A Dozen Troopers A Month To Other Law Enforcement Agencies Both In The State And Elsewhere That Pay More. Virginia State Troopers Start At $36,207. M. Wayne Huggins, Executive Director Of The Virginia State Police Association, Which Represents About 2,300 Current And Retired Troopers, Says His Membership Is Looking For Lawmakers To Come Up With A Long-Term Solution, Even If It Takes Several Years To Implement.