The operation and funding of law enforcement agencies in Virginia is a shared responsibility between state and local governments.
Local law enforcement agencies receive financial assistance from the state primarily through the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and the Compensation Board, both of which receive general fund support from the House Appropriations Committee.
Budget Overview
The Appropriations Act supports funding for state law enforcement agencies, local police departments and sheriff’s offices, and specific funding initiatives.
DCJS administers a number of grant programs which support local law enforcement. The largest is the Aid to Localities with Police Departments grant program, often referred to “HB599 Funding”; in 2025, this program provided $229.7 million to 172 counties, cities, and towns operating police departments in the Commonwealth.
DCJS also administers a number of grants supporting specific initiatives, including the federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program, School Resource Officer Incentive Grants Fund, the Firearm Intervention and Prevention Fund, the Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund, and the Safer Communities Program. In FY 2025, DCJS was appropriated a total of $215.5 million for criminal justice assistance grants.
The Appropriations Act also provides support for the operation of local sheriff’s departments with primary local law enforcement responsibilities, as well as the provision of courthouse security. In FY 2025, the Compensation Board provided $200.5 million to local sheriffs’ departments for their law enforcement and courthouse security responsibilities.
Programs/Policy Highlights
- Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program | $5.5 Million in FFY 2024
Federal grant program that supports a wide variety of justice related programming including local law enforcement, court, prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, planning and evaluation and technology improvements. The federal government provides funding directly to the state ($3.8 million) and local governments ($1.7 million).
- School Resource Officer Incentive Grant Funds | $23.1 million
Provides funding to localities to support the costs of a School Resource Officer or School Security Officer in elementary and secondary schools
- Firearm Intervention and Prevention Fund | $9 million
Provides grants to non-profits to support prevention related programming for youth or help individuals and families impacted by violence
- Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund | $10 million
Provides grant funding to local law enforcement agencies, community based organizations, and prosecutors to support violent crime, training for law enforcement officers and prosecutors, and equipment for law enforcement agencies
- Safer Communities Program | $14 million
Supports holistic, community-based strategies that address the root causes and conditions of community violence, such as after-school programs, education, and case management for trauma-informed mental health care
Reports and Presentations
Public Safety Budget 101
Resources and Deep Dives
Staff Contact
David Reynolds
Legislative Fiscal Analyst (DCJS and VSP Funding)