What is VCOPS?

The Virginia Coalition of Police & Deputy Sheriffs is a Commonwealth-wide association of police and deputy sheriff unions and associations representing thousands of working level police officers and deputy sheriffs. Virginia COPS is affiliated with the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA), and the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). Virginia COPS provides a common wealth of representational, organizational, and advocate support for working level police officers and deputy sheriffs in Virginia.

Virginia COPS was formed out of a group which met in Richmond, Virginia early in 1990 consisting of Alexandria COPS, Local 5; Arlington COPS, Local 48; Virginia Beach Policemen's Benevolent Association, Local 34; Charlottesville Police Association, Local 67; and other police officers working in Richmond and throughout Virginia. It was developed to provide a statewide voice for the working needs of police officers and deputy sheriffs, their associations and their unions. Over its first three years, Virginia COPS operated as a state level IUPA chapter. In 1993 it established its current form.

Virginia COPS is not a charity. It is a law enforcement officers' organization which works hard to improve the lot of Virginia's law enforcement officers. It is supported by its affiliated organizations throughout the state and by citizen and organiziational contributions and support. Virginia COPS works not only on behalf of its members, but also for all members of the Virginia law enforcement community. Its projects are designed to improve policing for every department in the Commonwealth.

Our Structure

Local chapters (locals) are chartered through the International Union of Police Associations and operate independently of one another. VCOPS fills the necessary function of bringing the locals together several times each year to work together on common issues.

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