CHARLOTTESVILLE – Delegate David J. Toscano released a statement today in response to ABC Board Chairman J. Neal Insley’s call for a Virginia State Police investigation of the April 11, 2013 incident in Charlottesville:
“Chairman Insley’s request for an impartial, third party review of the incident involving ABC law enforcement personnel is encouraging,” said Toscano. “A number of questions about this incident have been raised, and I believe this independent investigation by Virginia State Police will provide insight as to what went wrong, and how ABC can improve and implement better protocols and procedures to ensure than an incident like this does not occur again.”
Delegate Toscano recently sent a letter inquiring about the proper protocols and procedures to Shawn Walker, Director of Enforcement at ABC (see below). In his letter, Mr. Toscano inquired about what policies are currently in place for ABC law enforcement to detain citizens when enforcement officers suspect individuals may be underage and in possession of alcohol, and specifically, what procedures are in place to detain individuals already in motor vehicles. Additionally, Mr.Toscano inquired as to the specific training ABC law enforcement personnel receive in handling their weapons, and what protocols are in place to determine when an officer of ABC should unholster their weapon.
“I have lived in this community for over 30 years and do not recall an incident like this during that time,” wrote Toscano. “I appreciate the role that ABC plays in enforcing the laws against underage purchase, possession, and consumption. But I am concerned about the apparent overreaction of the agents during the April 11 event.”
