There are only 13 full-time Virginia State Police (VSP) Troopers covering Buckingham, Cumberland and Prince Edward counties, even though 36 are technically needed for the three counties collectively.

According to a memo from VSP Superintendent Col. W. Steven Flaherty to agency employees, the deficit comes as 103 sworn employees and 76 civilian employees have left the department since January.

VSP’s Area 19, which encompasses Buckingham and Cumberland counties, is authorized for 10 troopers but has eight — down two because of one vacancy and one person on worker’s compensation leave, according to state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller.

Area 21, which includes Prince Edward and Appomattox counties, is authorized for 10, while only five are currently covering the two counties, Geller said. Area 21 has two vacancies, one trooper on sick leave and two assigned to specialties: a search and recovery team diver and a tactical team member, Geller said.

“So these two are on call 24/7 and often out of the area for training and/or assignment,” she said.

According to Flaherty, the majority of those leaving are doing so “to seek better-paying employment in other local, state and federal agencies. Since the governor’s announcement regarding revenue shortfalls, resignations among both sworn and civilian staff have escalated.”

Civilian employees in the agency are also feeling pressure.

“We are short on dispatchers at our Appomattox Division Headquarters … and have had dispatchers from other VSP Division Dispatch Centers and troopers coming in to fill those vacancies,” Geller said. “Based on the 2015 VSP Manpower Augmentation Plan, Area 19 needs 16 total troopers and Area 21 needs 16 total troopers, based on the total number of calls for service in those areas and to provide 24-hour patrol.”

According to Flaherty’s memo, there are currently 116 sworn vacancies in the field.

“Due to looming budget cuts … we may be required to delay the 126th Basic Session, which is scheduled to begin in March 2017,” he said.

Since February, Flaherty said the department has experienced a 48.5 percent decrease in trooper applications.

“Although, this decrease in applications is a nationwide trend, the department’s ability to recruit is further exasperated by our poor salaries and our inability to compete with starting law enforcement salaries across the commonwealth,” Flaherty said.

According to Geller, the starting salary for a trooper is $36,207. Prince Edward deputies start out at $29,081, while Cumberland starts out at $30,009.

Hampden-Sydney College police officers begin at $36,500, while Longwood, if the officers have no experience, begin between $32,000-$35,000. Sheriff’s deputies in Buckingham begin at about $30,000 annually.