Stateways

StateWays - November/December 2016

StateWays is the only magazine exclusively covering the control state system within the beverage alcohol industry, with annual updates from liquor control commissions and alcohol control boards and yearly fiscal reporting from control jurisdictions

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StateWays | www.stateways.com | July/August 2016 25 the fi rst six months of the pro- gram, and before the year is done we'll have reached more than 50 – totaling hundreds of offi cers." The training program sup- ports recent recommenda- tions from the Virginia ABC Enforcement Expert Review Panel, including a renewed focus on ABC licensee regula- tory matters and the establish- ment of stronger relationships among local and campus law enforcement. "Virginia ABC sought, and was awarded, the NLLEA grant due to its commitment to engage with local law enforcement to form an effective partnership in enforcing Virginia's ABC laws," says ABC Chief Operating Offi cer Travis Hill. "The enforcement training program is just one of the ways we're giving effect to the recommendations and guidance put for- ward under Governor McAuliffe's Executive Order 40." The grant program expired in November, but Huff says the department plans to continue its local outreach going forward. "The benefi t to us is reinforcement," he says. "When we began this program, we wanted to both reach agencies we have a good working relationship with so we can develop them further, and create a mutually benefi cial relationship with agencies that were under-served." Evaluation forms completed at the end of the training show favorable reactions from offi cers, who indicate they welcome the in-person training and want more. "It wasn't without precedent that we've reached out to these stakeholders, but the funding allowed us to create hand- outs, educational materials and reference sheets that we could put in the hands of local offi cers to assist them," Huff says. "This has ushered in a new era of cooperation and under- standing between the ABC and local enforcement agencies." • "We only have 100 sworn agents at the department, in a state with 18,000 licensed establishments and a robust hospitality industry. We rely on local law enforcement partners to address areas of concern related to use and abuse of alcoholic beverages." —David Huff, Senior Special Agent Members of the Virginia ABC met with local law enforcement officials in Virginia Beach during a July 2016 training session.

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