By Taylor Boyd
Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s recent executive order outlining statewide law enforcement standards will not change operations for local agencies, officials said.
The order directs state law enforcement agencies to align policies and training with principles focused on public trust and community safety and ends certain federal immigration enforcement agreements.
However, authorities in Henry and Patrick counties, and the City of Martinsville, said they are not affected by the directive.
Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith said Spanberger’s executive orders do not pertain to anyone but state law enforcement.
“She’s their boss. Nothing was changed with us,” he said.
Smith noted individual localities will also decide if they will cooperate with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Anytime we have somebody in our jail that is an illegal alien that has detainers on them, we’ve always cooperated in the past, and we will continue to do so,” he said.
Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis said that while “there has been some confusion within the community about what Governor Spanberger’s Executive Order means for Henry County, I want to be very clear: this order applies only to state law enforcement agencies — primarily the Virginia State Police and the Department of Corrections. It does not apply to sheriffs or sheriff’s offices in the Commonwealth.”
Davis added that his office “will continue to cooperate fully with all federal law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Our mission, our authority, and our partnerships remain unchanged.”
By rescinding the order, Martinsville Police Chief Chad Rhoads said Spanberger reset the state’s directive to where it was late last year.
“Political back and forth is what it is. It doesn’t really affect the way we do things. It doesn’t affect the way we do business,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, said, “law enforcement officials are important public safety servants in Virginia’s Ninth District. A core function of their mission is to protect Virginia communities, and I believe cooperation between local, state, and federal officials helps accomplish that goal.
“I believe Governor Spanberger’s action to terminate 287(g) agreements directly undermines this goal and potentially pits local communities, state law enforcement, and federal law enforcement against each other. This creates danger for all involved,” Griffith said.
“This executive directive can be seen as encouraging behaviors and actions that obstruct federal law enforcement,” he said. “Because the public safety needs of our communities are in Virginia’s best interest, I urge Governor Spanberger to rescind this harmful executive directive.”
Spanberger, a former federal law enforcement officer, said the order issued last week is based on core values that emphasize preserving human life, protecting vulnerable people, and upholding the U.S. and Virginia constitutions.
The order outlines six guiding principles:
• Law enforcement exists to preserve life, protect vulnerable people and uphold the Constitution.
• Public trust is essential to effective policing and should be built through professionalism, transparency, accountability and consistent community engagement.
• Virginia law enforcement does not engage in fear-based policing or actions that discourage people from seeking help.
• Police efforts should focus on enforcing criminal law and protecting public safety, not on administrative enforcement of civil status.
• Strong training, recruitment and retention help ensure officers have clear standards and sound preparation.
• Partnerships among law enforcement agencies, residents, educators, faith and civic leaders, businesses and local governments are critical to safe communities and a strong economy.
The executive order directs state law enforcement agencies to review all policies, training and practices to ensure they align with those standards.
