Simply stated, I believe that conservation officers should have the same retirement benefits as other state LEOs. Thank you for your consideration!

Our officers need to be taken care of. They do so much for us and our community we can’t forget them when it comes to them providing for their families.

Dear Members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee: Compensation and Retirement, I am writing to express the Virginia Police Benevolent Association's support for HB 1592, which would include the Department of Wildlife Resources Conservation Police Officers in the State Police Officers’ Retirement System (SPORS). However, I urge the subcommittee to amend the bill to include all active Conservation Police Officers, allowing current officers to also retire under SPORS. Historically, Conservation Police Officers enjoyed retirement parity with the Virginia State Police until 2001, when this was unjustly changed. Since then, turnover rates for Conservation Police Officers have increased, underscoring the need for equitable retirement benefits. This issue also impacts the department's ability to recruit diversity. It is worth noting a glaring inequity: a Conservation Police Officer with 25 years of service can resign, join a SPORS-participating locality for just 30 days, and qualify for SPORS benefits without contributing into the system. This raises a critical question—who is covering the cost difference for this? To my knowledge, no entity is, which further compounds the unfairness of the current system. Additionally, the most recent JLARC study on hazardous duty retirement ranked Conservation Police Officers second only to the Virginia State Police in terms of job hazards. This data underscores the necessity of restoring parity in retirement benefits to ensure fair treatment of these officers who risk their lives in service to the Commonwealth. Providing SPORS membership for all active Conservation Police Officers is not only a matter of fairness but also a necessary step to improve retention and morale within this vital law enforcement group. I strongly urge you to support HB 1592 with the recommended amendment. Thank you for your consideration and for your commitment to the well-being of Virginia’s public safety personnel.

On behalf of the Virginia Conservation Police Association (VCPA) we support the retirement bill on behalf of all active Conservation Police Officers (CPOs) with the amendment to allow current officers to retain their current time and service when moving into SPORS. Now an officer can leave our agency and work at a Sheriff's Office for 30 days to receive the Hazard Duty pay, currently denied our CPOs. The latest JLARC Study supports and explains the hazards of our job. Please support the bill on behalf of all our Conservation Police Officers, formerly known as Game Wardens.

Dear Members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee: Compensation and Retirement, I am writing to express the Virginia Police Benevolent Association's support for HB 1592, which would include the Department of Wildlife Resources Conservation Police Officers in the State Police Officers’ Retirement System (SPORS). However, I urge the subcommittee to amend the bill to include all active Conservation Police Officers, allowing current officers to also retire under SPORS. Historically, Conservation Police Officers enjoyed retirement parity with the Virginia State Police until 2001, when this was unjustly changed. Since then, turnover rates for Conservation Police Officers have increased, underscoring the need for equitable retirement benefits. This issue also impacts the department's ability to recruit diversity. It is worth noting a glaring inequity: a Conservation Police Officer with 25 years of service can resign, join a SPORS-participating locality for just 30 days, and qualify for SPORS benefits without contributing into the system. This raises a critical question—who is covering the cost difference for this? To my knowledge, no entity is, which further compounds the unfairness of the current system. Additionally, the most recent JLARC study on hazardous duty retirement ranked Conservation Police Officers second only to the Virginia State Police in terms of job hazards. This data underscores the necessity of restoring parity in retirement benefits to ensure fair treatment of these officers who risk their lives in service to the Commonwealth. Providing SPORS membership for all active Conservation Police Officers is not only a matter of fairness but also a necessary step to improve retention and morale within this vital law enforcement group. I strongly urge you to support HB 1592 with the recommended amendment. Thank you for your consideration and for your commitment to the well-being of Virginia’s public safety personnel.

Supporting CRO's retirement.

Supporting Resource Officer's retirement.

Thank you for considering these bills to make the retirement for Conservation Police Officers (CPO) comparable to VSP. CPO’s work in very remote and hazardous conditions on a routine basis. Assistance from other Officers could be hours away. This change is needed to help with recruitment of new Officers and retention of current ones. Speaking of retention, current CPO’ s time worked should count towards the supplement. The men and women that serve as CPO’s should have this granted to them by the Commonwealth. Again thank you for considering these bills.

As a current Conservation Police Officer for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, as well as a prior Police Officer for another Law Enforcement Agency, I would greatly appreciate any and all support in the passage of HB1592, Providing membership in the State Police Officers' Retirement System (SPORS) to conservation police officers within the Department of Wildlife Resources. I would ask for an amendment to be made to the bill as currently written to include all VRS service time with DWR to be counted towards the hazardous duty supplement requirements for current Officers, not just service earned on or after July 1, 2026. There are inherent dangers associated with our Law Enforcement duties due to the unique nature of our job responsibilities that routinely put Officers in hazardous situations. These include, not only, law enforcement interactions in general, but typically these interactions are with armed individuals while also dealing with environmental challenges within wooded areas and on the waterways throughout the Commonwealth. Officers routinely work alone, within remote locations, with limited access to immediate backup for cases of emergencies. I have personally arrested more violent felons in possession of firearms while working as a Conservation Police Officer than I did as a Patrol Officer. I have also investigated more fatalities, whether boating/drowning related or hunting/shooting related incidents, than I did as a patrol Officer. These challenges, as well as the high levels of stress involved, take a toll on Officers both physically and psychologically . These are just small examples of what CPOs deal with on a daily basis and why the supplement is important to Officers. CPOs are routinely called upon to provide assistance to Deputies, Police Officers, and Virginia State Troopers with general law enforcement duties, especially within the rural Communities across the Commonwealth where Law Enforcement resources are limited. These situations involve public safety concerns, property crimes, crimes against person[s], apprehension of wanted individuals, search and rescue, etc. Our Agency and Officers have been providing more resources towards General Law Enforcement efforts across the Commonwealth. CPOs have also provided unique specialized training opportunities to these Agencies to further their mission and goals. Most of these Agencies are receiving a form of a hazardous duty supplement within their current retirement plans. Conservation Police Officers, and I, appreciate all support with the passage of HB1592 for Conservation Police Officers to receive the same benefits for the risks that we take and are willing to take for the citizens throughout the Commonwealth.

Please support HB1592. The Virginia Conservation Police are one of only two state agencies whose officers are sworn and expected to perform general law enforcement duties with statewide jurisdiction. In addition to being expected to expertly operate large patrol boats, ATVs, UTVs, and other inherently dangerous equipment (when compared to a patrol car) in all weather conditions, CPOs deal with armed individuals, in remote areas, with no possibility of backup on a daily basis. An FBI publication from 2017 notes that wildlife law enforcement officers are "three times more likely to face assault with a weapon" and "Wildlife officers encountered assaults with a firearm or cutting object seven times more frequently than other police," yet Virginia CPOs do not receive a hazardous duty supplement upon retirement. These officers play a critical role in preserving our natural resources and protecting public safety, and they deserve the same retirement benefits as other law enforcement professionals. I also encourage the bill to be amended to include current officers, ensuring that those who have dedicated their careers to public service and conservation are treated fairly. Extending these benefits to all officers, regardless of when they began their service, would recognize their ongoing contributions and help retain experienced personnel within the department.

Dear Honorable Delegates I would ask that you please include all currently employed Conservative Police Officers in this bill. The officers work tirelessly throughout the year to protect the citizens and Virginia’s wildlife and deserve to have the same retirement benefits as the great troopers of the Commonwealth Respectfully Mark DiLuigi

Virginia Conservation Police Officers have been serving the public as state Law Enforcement Officers. They have the same authority to enforce laws of the Commonwealth as Virginia State Troopers. Often they endure a more hazardous work environment than State Troopers. These hazardous conditions include, but are not limited to; search and rescues in extreme weather conditions, interacting with armed individuals on a daily basis, working in remote areas where backup is not readily available and routine boat patrols in extreme heat. I have been employed as a Conservation Police Officer in Virginia in excess of 20 years. I have worked boat patrol shifts in the summer where I consume over 2 gallons of water and still go home dehydrated due to extreme heat. I have worked search and rescue missions when the James River was frozen solid and Coast Guard Cutters had to cut the ice for us to conduct our search. I have stopped vehicles full of poachers who were poaching deer at night by spotlighting and shooting from the roadway. One instance, I stopped 2 vehicles that had shot with a total of 8 occupants, one of which was a felon who ran at 2 in the morning . Backup was in excess of 30 minutes away due to my remote location. These remote locations often have poor radio and cell phone service, so we are truly alone! I routinely check hunt clubs with over 30 armed individuals by myself. I have cleared a house, by myself, after a home invasion so paramedics could enter to try to render aid to any victims because I was the closest Law Enforcement Officer in the area, only to find the victim of a murder with the murderer still in the house. Then detained the murderer, removed two children from the house who had witnessed the murder of their grandmother and consoled them and secured the scene while waiting on other Law Enforcement Officers to arrive. I routinely talk to Troopers who say, “They couldn’t pay me enough to do your job! Everyone you come in contact with is armed!” This should speak volumes about the hazards of our job in comparison to theirs. Regardless of when they were hired, Virginia Conservation Police Officers should be eligible for the hazardous duty supplement offered through SPORS but not offered through their current retirement in VaLORS. I respectfully ask that you consider providing this opportunity to all of the Conservation Police Officers, who so bravely serve all of the Commonwealth.

I have been employed as a Virginia Conservation Police Officer (CPO) for the past 18 years and and writing to express my support for HB 1592. This bill would not only make CPO retirement consistent with other a state law enforcement officers but it would improve recruitment and retention of CPOs at a time when the lack of manpower is a serious concern. As with any law enforcement position, Conservation Police Officers face a variety of hazards on a routine basis. While enforcing the criminal laws of the Commonwealth, CPOs experience the same dangers of the law enforcement profession as do other state and local law enforcement officials. In addition, CPOs often work alone in remote locations and on waterways where no other law enforcement agencies patrol. However, CPOs are not currently eligible for the hazardous duty retirement supplement that our fellow officers receive. This retirement incentive would not only justly compensate CPOs for the dangers faced during their service to the Commonwealth, it would also help the recruitment of future protectors of Virginia’s natural resources. I respectfully request your support for HB 1592.

It needs to be amended to include current employees.

Greetings, I am excited about HB1592 and the potential it has to change the lives of Virginia Conservation Police Officers. I have been employed as a Conservation Police Officer since 2014, and will have 25 years of service at age 49. Being included in the SPORS retirement system would be a great benefit to me and my family, post career. I feel it important to amend this bill to include all current CPOs as well as future hires. Conservation Officers find themselves in high risk situations just by the nature of the job and where our patrols take us in the field. Extreme weather conditions, remote locations, and rugged terrain compound officer safety risks when dealing with violations of law. Virginia CPOs assist law enforcement officers from other agencies with high risk activities and are often the only source of backup for those officers working for small departments in rural areas. Virginia Conservation Police Officers are well deserving of the benefits associated with the SPORS retirement plan. Amending and passing this bill would change the lives of so many officers that put their lives on the line to protect the citizens and wildlife of this commonwealth. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.

Good morning/afternoon, I would like to take a moment to encourage all Delegates to vote in favor of this bill. As a Conservation Police Officer (CPO) I can firmly attest to the fact that our job can be extremely dangerous and stressful. We routinely work in remote locations and mostly alone. We are tasked primarily with enforcing the hunting, fishing, and boating laws of Virginia, however we often encounter situations involving traffic accidents, drugs, armed individuals/groups, wanted persons, and felons, as well as, assisting local law enforcement in various situations. By voting in favor of this bill you will be providing CPOs with the same retirement benefits as other Virginia law enforcement agencies and/or departments. This will also have the effect of increasing our ability to hire and retain CPOs that will help to ensure the safety of the public and the enforcement of Virginia's laws. Thank you for your time.

There should be no hesitation to pass this bill. Virginia Conservation Police carry the responsibilities and duties of law enforcement officers recognized by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. They risk their lives and carry the stresses of enforcing state law in order to protect the citizens of the commonwealth and its natural resources. Since they carry the burden of those duties and responsibilities, they should recieve the benefits as well. Pass the bill.

As a newly hired Virginia Conservation Police Officer, I was surprised to learn that CPO’s have not been covered by the hazard duty supplement that other law enforcement agencies have even though CPO’s hold the same policing powers and similar jurisdiction to those as a State Trooper. Being in law enforcement is no easy task especially when you get into the 15-20+ years or age of 50+. The retention rate of keeping good officers is a struggles all the time and the amendment to add CPO’s to the bill/amendment would be a huge help for the future of the agency. Please take this into consideration as you vote on this for the men and women who protect the people and natural resources of the commonwealth.

I am in support of this new retirement for the Conservative Police Officers. I think they deserve the same state retirement as any other state officer.

As a Virginia Conservation Police Officer I can attest that my/our job is inherently dangerous, stressing, and difficult for anyone persons especially those who have done the job for 20+ years or that are 50 years old or older. The ability to retire at a necessary age, by having the Hazardous Duty Supplement, is imperative to ensure the safety of our Officers. However, many CPOs find themselves unable to retire when eligible due to the overwhelming costs of healthcare. Ultimately many CPOs are forced to work well beyond their personal abilities to preform the job’s tasks and responsibilities just to provide themselves or their families with healthcare. Conservation Police Officer regularly and routinely work in a solitary capacity in the most remote areas of the Commonwealth leading to increased exposure to the dangers and risks associated with Law Enforcement work. In the performance of enforcing hunting, boating, and fishing laws for the Commonwealth CPOs are regularly interacting with armed subjects with unknown situations and intentions. An additional benefit to being included in the Hazardous Duty Supplement is the ability to remain relevant and competitive when recruiting and retaining CPOs.

I am writing in support of HB1592 and in support of amending this bill to include all Conservation Police Officers. In short, I have dedicated 17 years of service to the Commonwealth as a Conservation Police Officer. In 8 years, I will have earned the ability to retire with 25 years of service. Unfortunately, I will not be able to do so from a financial standpoint. For some illogical reason, Conservation Police Officers are not afforded the same retirement benefits as other law enforcement officers in the Commonwealth. Local Police Officers, County Deputies, and State Troopers have better retirement benefits which includes a hazard duty supplement that provides enough supplemental income post retirement to pay for important things like health care until the retiree is eligible for social security benefits. Rest assured, the job duties of a Conservation Police Officer are every bit as hazardous as those aforementioned Officers, Deputies, and Troopers. I implore you to amend HB1592 to include all Conservation Police Officers, and to move this bill forward out of committee.

I would like to lend my support for House Bill 1592 being heard in Richmond. I believe it affects our Conservation Police Officer’s retirement in a very positive way. It would join them with the State Police Officer’s retirement and provide them with the Hazardous Duty supplement, which is not something they currently receive upon retirement. Thank you for a yes vote on this bill.

As a Virginia Conservative Police Officer I can attest that my/our job is inherently dangerous, stressing, and difficult for anyone persons especially those who have done the job for 20+ years or that are 50 years old or older. The ability to retire at a necessary age, by having the Hazardous Duty Supplement, is imperative to ensure the safety of our Officers. However, many CPOs find themselves unable to retire when eligible due to the overwhelming costs of healthcare; and ultimately many CPOs are forced to work well beyond their personal abilities to preform the job’s tasks and responsibilities just to provide themselves or their families with healthcare. Conservation Police Officers regularly and routinely work in a solitary capacity in the most remote areas of the Commonwealth leading to and increased exposure to the dangers and risks associated with Law Enforcement work. In the performance of enforcing hunting, boating, and fishing laws for the Commonwealth CPOs are regularly interacting with armed subjects with unknown situations and intentions. An additional benefit to being included in the Hazardous Duty Supplement is the ability to remain relevant and competitive when recruiting and retaining CPOs. I strongly recommend and urge all Delegates to vote in favor of this bill so that Virginia’s Conservative Police Officers (Game Wardens) are treated and offered equal benefits the same as every other Law Enforcement officers of the Commonwealth who carries a badge and gun 40 hours a week.

I would like to lend my support for House Bill 1592 being heard in Richmond. I believe it affects Conservation Police Officer’s retirement in a very positive way. It would join them with the State Police Officer’s retirement and provide them with the Hazardous Duty supplement, which is not something they currently receive upon retirement. Thank you for a yes vote on this bill.

This bill would greatly enhance our officers retirement and help retain good officers.

I support this bill, and I believe Conservation Police Officers should join the state police officer retirement system. Thank you.

Please register my support for HB1592 in its amended version that includes all current and future Conservation Police Officers for SPORS retirement benefits.

I support this bill on behalf of all Conservation Officers and the important often dangerous work they do.

My cousin is a conservation police officer and to learn that he does not have the same state retirement as the state police was a surprise. I have watched him over the last 20 years put in many hours and dedication to his job and putting his life on the line daily. His family loves him very much and I always pray for his safety. I am ex military and fully understand that at any minute you could be asked to put your life on the line and what that does to your family. I feel that the hazardous duty portion of this bill should be included in the retirement as that is the least we can do for his years of service in protecting the commonwealth of Virginia. One instance I know we had a shooter on the loose and he could have been shot but he went on the job and the man was apprehended. The lives of these young men and women are worth much more than this bill could ever provide so please highly consider this bill.

The HB1592 will provide a better retirement plan and will make it more beneficial for me and my family. I am a Virginia Conservation Police Officer and having Virginia State Police retirement would be awesome. Please take this house bill into consideration. So Mote it Be Sincerely Virginia Conservation Police Officer Shane Wilson

To whom it may concern, I encourage you to amended these bills to allow all current Conservation Police Officers to retire under SPORS benefits and to vote in favor of the bill and the amendment. This would allow DWR to increase their recruitment and retention of qualified officers. Currently CPO retirement is not on par with Local Sheriff Deputies or the State Police. Respectfully submitted, Derrick Kekic Strasburg, VA

Please vote in favor of this House Bill 1592 giving our Conservation Police the advantage of joining the State Police Hazardous Duty supplement retirement. We must take care of our officers!!

Please vote in favor of House Bill 1592 giving our Conservation Police the advantage of joining the State Police Hazardous Duty supplement retirement. Our officers deserve this!

Good morning comma my name is Michael Morris and I'm a Conservation Police Sergeant. I'm writing you to urge your support for conservation police officers to join the state police officer retirement System. The work that our officers do throughout the state is vitally important to Virginians. Not only do conservation police officers work for the Sportsman and fishermen of virginia, they also work for the public everyday by patrolling the the roads and the waters. Conservation police officers are the most dedicated officers in the state and though our numbers may be small, everyone knows their local conservation police officer. Throughout my 19 year career and others around me, we have put ourselves into dangerous situations whether it's saving a life on the river or lake or confronting a felon with a firearm in the woods. We have been there for grieving families that have lost a family member due to a boating crash a hunting incident or even a vehicle crash. Adding conservation police officers to the State Police Officer Retirement System is the right thing to do and we have earned it.

HB1592 We support this bill to include Conservation Police Officers with State Police Officers in the VRS. We would like to see them qualify for the Hazardous Duty Supplement as well.

As a current CPO with 18 years of service. I have seen the ups and downs at DWR. DWR is not dissimilar to the many other law enforcement agencies across the country who are struggling to recruit and retain officers. When I was hired there were many senior officers who had many years of experience and knowledge of my new assigned work area that I was able to learn from and build my knowledge as a CPO. Currently many districts across the law enforcement division have officers with barely three years of service who are the most senior officers in their district. This historical knowledge and experience has been lost and will take many years to rebuild. It is important that CPOs receive the hazardous supplement not only because the job is hazardous; such as nearly ever person they contact is armed with a firearm or other weapon or conducting search and rescue operations on the side of a remote mountain or in the Chesapeake Bay faced with severe wind and waves. It will also allow DWR to be able to compete on an even playing field with other law enforcement agencies to recruit and retain more qualified applicants who can protect the citizens and wildlife of the Commonwealth. The most recent JLARC study described the hazardous duties faced by CPOs as equal with that of sheriff's deputies who receive the hazardous duty supplement and is a great recruitment incentive. As a special fund agency, DWR and the law enforcement division do not receive general fund monies to offset state raises and other increased costs of protecting people and wildlife and is forced to make cuts in other areas of the budget such as not buying needed patrol vehicles and other equipment in order to attempt to keep pace to retain and recruit new officers. For these reasons CPOs with the DWR deserve to receive the hazardous duty supplement as part of their retirement benefits. Respectfully Tyler Bumgarner Warsaw,Va

My name is Christopher Smith, and I am a current Virginia Conservation Police Officer. I was formerly a police officer for the City of Portsmouth, and I am grandfathered under the VRS VaLORS Plan 1 retirement, which has the hazardous duty supplement. Next month, I hit 20 continuous years of police service in Virginia, and I will qualify to collect the hazardous duty supplement. Unfortunately, since tranferring to DWR, I found out that my time at DWR still counts toward the hazardous duty supplement, but I will not get the supplement without leaving DWR for another agency. Bill HB1592, as it currently reads, will not cover me, and I will still have to leave DWR for another agency. Please consider amending the bill to include all current VA Conservation Police Officers. This would afford me the opportunity to stay and retire from DWR. Thank you for your time, Chris Smith.

As a newly hired Conservation Police Officer with the VA Department of Wildlife Resources, I am greatly concerned with the opportunities provided to me for my retirement. With nearly three decades of work ahead of me in this field, I see HB1592 as an opportunity to assist me in my longevity with DWR and the commonwealth of VA. My colleagues that have served countless years with the agency, protecting the vital fish and wildlife resources of the commonwealth, without a doubt deserve the upmost beneficial options to assist them with a sustainable retirement. This bill has the potential of helping hundreds of active duty and future police officers serving under the Department of Wildlife Resources. It has even further potential to impact their livelihoods and their families. HB1592 would have innumerable benefits to all those involved. Thank you for your time and service!

Please amend HB1592 to include ALL Conservation Police Officers. This is very important to all of us who have dedicated our lives to protect Virginia's natural resources! Thank You!

Thank you for considering these bills to make the retirement for Conservation Police Officers (CPO) comparable to VSP. CPO’s work in very remote and hazardous conditions on a routine basis. Assistance from other Officers could be hours away. This change is needed to help with recruitment of new Officers and retention of current ones. Speaking of retention, current CPO’ s time worked should count towards the supplement. The men and women that serve as CPO’s should have this granted to them by the Commonwealth. Again thank you for considering these bills.

To whom it may concern, I encourage you to amended these bills to allow all current Conservation Police Officers to retire under SPORS benefits and to vote in favor of the bill and the amendment. This would allow DWR to increase their recruitment and retention of qualified officers. Currently CPO retirement is not on par with Local Sheriff Deputies or the State Police. Respectfully submitted, Derrick Kekic Strasburg, VA

To whom it may concern, I encourage you to amended these bills to allow all current Conservation Police Officers to retire under SPORS benefits and to vote in favor of the bill and the amendment. This would allow DWR to increase their recruitment and retention of qualified officers. Currently CPO retirement is not on par with Local Sheriff Deputies or the State Police. Respectfully submitted, Derrick Kekic Strasburg, VA

Dear Honorable Delegation, I am writing in support of HB 2070: Virginia Retirement System; service credit for career and technical education teachers. I live in Goochland County, which has a very good CTE program. However, in order to keep a good program, we need incentives for people with real-life knowledge to teach the students what they need to know in order to get a good paying job once they graduate. Not all students want to go to college, and many of the students that do go to college probably shouldn't. With a more robust CTE program with extremely qualified instructors, the students will realize that CTE is a great option for them. Please approve this incentive to get more highly qualified instructors with real-life experience into CTE programs. With instructors such as these, the students will have a better chance of becoming productive citizens and help make our country the best now and forever. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.