WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger today addressed police chiefs from across the Commonwealth at the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP) Annual Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia.
During the conference, Spanberger outlined her record of supporting law enforcement as a Member of Congress — and made clear that as Virginia’s next Governor she will continue to make sure Virginia’s police officers have the resources and support necessary to do their jobs and keep Virginians safe.
“Those who put on the badge deserve more than our recognition and gratitude. Virginia’s police officers deserve leaders who will do everything in their power to support officers and their families,” said Spanberger during the event. “I know that the way to address the issues facing our local law enforcement and actually get stuff done is by working together across all levels of government and across the aisle. As Governor, I will work with anyone — Republican or Democrat — who is serious about supporting Virginia’s law enforcement officers.”
During her time in Congress, Spanberger led multiple efforts — together with both Democrats and Republicans — to help Virginia’s police departments pay for vetting, hiring, training, and benefits for more officers and first responders.
Spanberger also led the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act, which the President signed into law earlier this year to secure the earned retirement benefits of Americans who devoted much of their careers to public service — including thousands of Virginia’s retired police officers. Since Spanberger’s legislation was signed into law earlier this year, more than $310 million in earned retirement benefits have already been delivered to nearly 50,000 retired police officers and other public servants across Virginia.
BACKGROUND
Earlier this month, Spanberger was endorsed by the Virginia Police Benevolent Association (VAPBA) — the largest police representative organization in Virginia representing nearly 11,000 law enforcement officers in the Commonwealth, including deputy sheriffs.
