The highway patrol, or state police patrol as it is sometimes called, the police school, the state police radio or communication system, the supervision of inspection stations and of inspectors of motor vehicles, the promotion of highway safety, the establishment and direction of a vehicle accident prevention and safety program for state agencies, the adoption of standards for motor vehicle appliances, accessories and safety devices and the registration of machine guns shall be in the Department of State Police.
Va. Code § 52-4