                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

RETIRED AND FORMER LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS; PHOTO IDENTIFICATION CARDS;
RETENTION OF BADGE (§ 9.1-1000)

A. Upon the retirement of a law-enforcement officer, as defined in &#xA7;
9.1-101, the employing department or agency shall, upon request of the retiree,
issue the individual a photo identification card indicating that such individual
is a retired law-enforcement officer of that department or agency. Upon request,
such a card shall also be issued to any law-enforcement officer who retired
before July 1, 2004.

B. Upon request of a former law-enforcement officer with at least 10 years of
service who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, as defined
in &#xA7; 65.2-107, by a mental health professional, as defined in &#xA7;
65.2-107, or who is disabled, the employing department or agency shall issue the
individual a photo identification card indicating that such individual is a
former law-enforcement officer of that department or agency who honorably
served. However, prior to issuing the photo identification card, the employing
department or agency shall have it mounted in such a manner that it will be
impossible for anyone to carry it on his person. The employing department or
agency may deny, for cause, any request made under this subsection, provided
that it gives a written explanation to the requester of the grounds for denial.
Any individual issued a photo identification card under this subsection shall be
ineligible to receive a photo identification card pursuant to subsection A. The
provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any individual who was
decertified pursuant to &#xA7; 15.2-1707.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of &#xA7; 52-9.1:1 or any other provision of
law to the contrary, on and after July 1, 2023, upon the retirement of a
law-enforcement officer who is employed by an agency of the Commonwealth as a
law-enforcement officer at the time of his retirement, the employing department
or agency shall, upon request of the retiree, award the retiree his badge or
other insignia of his office for permanent keeping, provided, however, that the
employing department or agency, prior to tendering such badge or insignia, shall
have the same mounted in such a manner that it will be impossible for anyone to
display such badge or insignia upon his person.

HISTORY: 2004, c. 419; 2022, c. 491; 2023, c. 26.