My name is Wesley Simms, and I am a Senior Special Agent with the Virginia DMV Law Enforcement Division. I am writing to express my support for House Bill 1267 and its intent to add full-time sworn Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Law Enforcement Officers in the Virginia Law Officers’ Retirement System (VALORS). DMV Law Enforcement Officers serve the Commonwealth in a full-time, sworn law enforcement capacity and have statewide jurisdiction to enforce all criminal and traffic laws. An example of our work includes criminal investigations, enforcement actions, and direct involvement in public safety operations. While our responsibilities and risks mirror those of other law enforcement professionals, we are currently excluded from the retirement system that applies to comparable positions. The passing of House Bill 1267 would correct this inequity and have an immediate, positive impact on both recruitment and retention. Retirement benefits play a major role in an officer’s decision to join an agency. Currently, the lack of VALORS eligibility makes it extremely difficult for DMV Law Enforcement to compete with other agencies for qualified applicants. VALORS would help attract experienced officers and encourage new recruits to commit to long-term service with the Commonwealth. Retention is just as critical as DMV Law Enforcement Officers dedicate years to training and developing specialized expertise that benefits Virginia’s public safety mission. Again, without equitable retirement benefits, many highly experienced officers are compelled to seek employment elsewhere, leading to unnecessary turnover, increased training costs for their replacements, and, most importantly, the loss of officers whose knowledge and skills are critical to the agency. Inclusion in VALORS would help retain these officers and preserve institutional knowledge for many, many years to come. House Bill 1267 is a reasonable and necessary step toward recognizing the important role DMV Law Enforcement Officers play in protecting the public. Supporting this bill would strengthen Virginia’s law enforcement workforce, promote stability across agencies, and demonstrate a continued commitment to those who serve in sworn law enforcement positions. I respectfully urge you to support House Bill 1267 and vote in favor of including full-time sworn DMV Law Enforcement Officers in VALORS. Thank you for your time and consideration, and for your continued support of public safety throughout the Commonwealth. Respectfully, Senior Special Agent Wesley Simms Virginia DMV Law Enforcement Division

Gary D. Gross Senior Special Agent Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Law Enforcement Division Field Operations / NOVA Chairman, Members of the Subcommittee My career in Virginia Law Enforcement has spanned some 40 years having spent 26 years with the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority Police Department prior to my current 14 years tenure with the Virginia DMV-LED, and have also served and retired from the United States Air Force, Air National Guard system with 20 years of service. I would ask that the subcommittee to support and VOTE IN FAVOR of HB-1267 adding the Virginia DMV Law Enforcement Division sworn members to the Virginia Law Enforcement Retirement System, VaLORS. This action is deserved and will further support the Agency in Recruitment, Retention and Portability for Law Enforcement Officers within the Agency and the Commonwealth. Over my career at DMV-LED, I routinely conduct Traffic Stops on Commercial Motor Carriers in both my roll as a Commercial Vehicle Motor Carrier Inspector and while supporting the Weight Program with both Fixed Weigh Stations and Portable Scale Units. I have made numerous Felony and Misdemeanor Arrests to include an Armed Fugitive in a Commercial Motor Vehicle, Fraudulent Documents and License Plates in a Commercial Motor Carrier, the Owner of Passenger Carrier Business rolling back Odometers prior to sales of company vehicle, a Dyed Deisel Fuel Investigation that identified the main suspect as the President of the Northern Shenandoah Valley Warlock Motorcycle Gang. I have been dispatched to calls by Virginia State Police Dispatch due to no Trooper being available, first on scene to vehicle accidents and involved with Motor Vehicle Pursuits. These are just a few of the Law Enforcement Duties that I have experienced, not including my peers in Investigations and Salvage that deal with comprehensive Criminal Investigations relating to Motor Vehicle Theft, Fraudulent Documents both of which typically lead to other Criminal Enterprises and Multi-Jurisdictional Enforcement efforts. This Bill before you today seeks to appropriately add the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Law Enforcement Division Sworn Agents to the Virginia Law Enforcement Retirement System, a long overdue benefit for the DEMANDS placed upon us and the RISKS/HAZARDS we face for the JOB we do on a DAILY BASIS in support of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is a needed benefit to be consistent with our brethren across the Commonwealth and to attract and retain highly qualified Law enforcement Professionals.