52-11 - Defense of police officers. - Virginia Statutes

§ 52-11. Defense of police officers.

If any police officer appointed by the Superintendent of State Police shallbe brought before any regulatory body, summoned before any grand jury,investigated by any other law-enforcement agency, or arrested or indicted orotherwise prosecuted on any charge arising out of any act committed in thedischarge of his official duties, the Superintendent may employ specialcounsel approved by the Attorney General to defend such officer. Upon afinding that (i) the officer did not violate a law or regulation resultingfrom the act which was the subject of the investigation and (ii) the officerwill not be terminated from employment as the result of such act, theSuperintendent shall pay for the special counsel employed. The compensationfor special counsel employed, pursuant to this section, shall, subject to theapproval of the Attorney General, be paid out of the funds appropriated forthe administration of the Department of State Police.

(1938, p. 491; Michie Code 1942, § 2154(54a); R. P. 1948, § 52-11; 1958, c.542; 1991, c. 631.)