Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has signed his first veto, a move that stopped a bill that would have allowed the Arlington County Board of Supervisors the ability to appoint an independent policing auditor.
House Bill 670, which was introduced by Del. Patrick Hope (D-Arlington), would grant the board the authority to hire an auditor to support a civilian oversight board, WAVY reports.
The governor described the bill as “anti-law enforcement,” saying the legislation would create an “overly powerful politically-appointed police auditor.”
“The best way to ensure that any bad actors within law enforcement are held accountable is to stand up for law enforcement, not tear them down or subject them to politically-motivated inquiries,” said Youngkin.
"Investing in a single politically-appointed individual the power of judge, jury, and executioner without any input from law–enforcement officers or delineated qualifications for such individual constitutes an undue burden for those who protect and serve the community," Youngkin said in his veto.
