By Alexandra Bogdanovic Rappahannock News Staff Writer He hasn’t

By Alexandra Bogdanovic

Rappahannock News Staff Writer

He hasn’t been here long, but 1st. Sgt. Matthew Hanley of the Virginia State Police is quickly, settling in to his new routine at the Area 12 Office in Warrenton.

Hanley is a 13-year veteran of the state police who most recently worked in Arlington and Fairfax. He was promoted to 1st sergeant last month and began his duties here July 10.

The Area 12 Office covers Rappahannock and Fauquier Counties. As the 1st sergeant, Hanley will oversee daily operations, including the supervision of more than a dozen troopers assigned here.

“This will be a challenge for me - but a good one. It is a different situation for me here and I will have to get into a different mindset,” Hanley said Wednesday. “In Northern Virginia, we primarily work the interstate. Checking details are unheard of there.”

In addition to their regular duties, troopers here conduct DUI checkpoints and similar activities when time and manpower allow. They also do “directed patrols,” especially in the summer, when some motorcycle enthusiasts come “racing” in the area.

Those enforcement efforts will continue, said Hanley, who was assigned to the motorcycle unit in Fairfax.

Hanley said he is also looking forward to new challenges and new opportunities, however. Specifically, he said he welcomes the chance to interact with citizens on a regular basis.

“Up in Northern Virginia, it is very impersonal,” he said. “We didn’t have much one-onone contact with citizens. I’m looking forward to (that change).”

As he becomes more accustomed to his new surroundings, Hanley said he will probably make some changes within the office. But he doesn’t anticipate any drastic changes in policy, procedure or personnel.

“I’m sure something will be changed - not because they’ve been done i wrong, but just because people do things differ