Title 9.1. Commonwealth Public Safety
Chapter 10. Retired Law Enforcement Identification
§ 9.1-1000. Retired and former law-enforcement officers; photo identification cards; retention of badge.
A. Upon the retirement of a law-enforcement officer, as defined in § 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 § 65.2-107, by a mental health professional, as defined in § 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 § 15.2-1707.
C. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 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.
