Six of the Virginia State Police’s 74 new troopers are residents of Northern Virginia, according to an email from the Virginia State Police. The troopers did the majority of their training at the Virginia State Police Academy in North Chesterfield County and graduated on Friday, Jan. 8.

Upon receiving their diplomas, members of the 123rd Basic Session finish a rigorous 28-week training session. The new troopers have received instruction in more than 100 different subjects spanning hundreds of hours. Academy training includes such areas as crime scene investigation, survival Spanish, judicial procedures, self defense, cultural diversity and firearms.

All six graduates from Northern Virginia are returning home for their final phase of training, which begins on Tuesday, Jan. 19 when they reported to their respective duty assignments. Each will spend the next six weeks with a field training officer learning his or her new patrol area and day-to-day duties.

Charles M. Vancampen, 23, of Manassas, Jonathan E. Dee, 27, of Fairfax, Eric Thomas, 29, of Alexandria, Matthew E. Spalding, 24, of Springfield, Toland Q. Lam, 24, of Loudoun County and Derek B. Stotler, 25, of Arlington all graduated from the academy. Stotler served as class president of the 123rd Basic Session.