Virginia has 36 criminal justice training academies, including 10 regional academies. The academies conduct entry-level, inservice, and specialized training for law enforcement officers, jailers, and other criminal justice personnel. In 1998, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) was directed to review the quality, consistency, and standardization of regional criminal justice training and develop methods for measuring the knowledge, skills, and abilities of criminal justice personnel. JLARC staff interviewed approximately 60 Department of Criminal Justice Services staff, conducted mail surveys of regional criminal justice academy graduates and field training officers, and visited all 10 regional academies. The following were among the key findings: (1) localities provide the bulk of funding for regional academies; (2) training standards for entry-level law enforcement personnel are extensive and specific; (3) most instructors are volunteers; (4) testing policies are weak; (5) a standardized law enforcement test should be considered; (6) a driver training facility is needed; and (7) field training and inservice training should be strengthened. (Seventeen tables/figures/exhibits are included. The following items are appended: text of Virginia House Joint Resolution No. 285; academy participation and officer population by criminal justice agency; the JLARC survey instruments and tallied responses; and the response from Virginia's Department of Criminal Justice Services.) (MN)