By Ashley Silver
Police1 Staff
NORFOLK, Va. — Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin recently detailed a new plan to curb violence in the state by tackling recruitment issues and lack of funding.
“We have a serious problem with staffing in our law enforcement agencies. We must get more badges on the street,” Youngkin said during a press conference in Norfolk according to The Virginia-Pilot.
In Operation Bold Blue Line, the city will launch a $30 million nationwide recruitment campaign with hopes of drawing out-of-state officers to the Virginia police force. The governor plans to leverage relationships with Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera and Attorney General Jason Miyares to bring the program to fruition.
“I am asking (Guidera) to work with all Virginia institutions of higher education to create a badge and degree program that helps law enforcement recruits that go on to serve their community to get a degree at little or no cost to them,” the governor said during the press conference.
The attorney general will be working with legislators to acquire additional funding for the Victim Witness Protection Program to help empower those assisting law enforcement to speak out on crime.
“One of the hardest things to do as a prosecutor is to convince a victim to go on the witness stand and relive the single worst moment of their lives and testify,” Miyares said. “Too many victims feel that they are at risk. Without victims willing to testify, prosecutors and law enforcement cannot do their jobs.”
According to The Virgina-Pilot, Youngkin also said the public safety initiative will accelerate the pace of the already-appropriated $75 million for training and equipment for police.
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