Supporting Police & Public Safety

Funding the Police

As a former federal law enforcement officer, Rep. Spanberger knows the commitment and sacrifices that come with putting on the badge every day. In Congress, she is committed to making sure Virginia’s law enforcement officers have the tools, training, and resources they need to keep our Commonwealth’s communities safe. Since first arriving in the U.S. House, she has led multiple efforts — working with both Democrats and Republicans — to help Virginia’s police departments pay for hiring, training, and benefits for more officers and first responders.

Protecting the Retirement Benefits of Law Enforcement Officers

In addition to keeping qualified officers on the payroll and combatting crime, Rep. Spanberger has championed efforts to make sure Virginia’s retired public safety officers receive the benefits they’ve earned. She knows that many Virginia police officers and firefighters retire earlier than other occupations due to the unique physical demands, stress, and job hazards they face on the job.

In 2022, the President signed into law Rep. Spanberger’s Wally Bunker HELPS Retirees Improvement Act — which cut red tape to provide retired police officers and firefighters with access to a key tax benefit that helps them cover their health insurance premiums.

Rep. Spanberger is also leading the Social Security Fairness Act. Her bipartisan bill would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which both unfairly reduce Social Security Benefits for millions of retired police officers, firefighters, federal employees, and teachers across the country.

Supporting Rural & Underserved Police Departments

Virginia’s smaller police departments have voiced concerns directly to Rep. Spanberger about ongoing hiring and retention issues. In the U.S. House, Rep. Spanberger has a record of working with both parties to expand grant opportunities that help these departments recruit and bring in new, highly trained officers. Additionally, she has worked to strengthen investments in officer safety, de-escalation, and domestic violence response training — as well as mental health resources for officers.