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B. The following calls for service fit the referral or deferred dispatch criteria (also see Appendix A
regarding alternative offenses):
1. Animal Problem - Animal Welfare will respond if the potential for injury exists.
2. Dead Animals - Animal Welfare will respond unless the dead animal鈥檚 carcass is a traffic hazard.
3. Children out of Control - Unless there is a potential for injury, the complainant is to contact
Juvenile Intake to speak with an intake officer about CHINS (Child in Need of Services)
information.
4. City Code Violations (Non-Criminal) - After determining the complaint is within Newport News;
complainants will be referred to Newport News Codes/Compliance. During hours when
Codes/Compliance is not open, advise the caller they may leave a message.
5. Fire Department (Forcing Doors/Medical Calls) - Fire Department calls involving forcing doors,
and medical emergencies shall be handled exclusively by the Fire Department unless they request
police assistance.
6. Found/Lost Property - A police unit will be dispatched when available unless the recovered or
found item is a weapon, which requires a more immediate response. All firearms, knives, and other
weapons shall be recovered as soon as possible.
7. Homeless Transportation - The transportation of homeless individuals shall be handled as follows:
a. During P.O.R.T. (People Offering Resources Together) operational times, they shall be
contacted;
b. When P.O.R.T. is not operational, or their bus is not running, an officer shall be dispatched to act
as transportation of the homeless individual only if it may become a life-threatening situation for
the individual (EX: inclement weather).
8. Illness Calls - Unless requested by Emergency Medical Services, only EMS is to be dispatched in
calls specifically regarding illness.
9. Speeding or Reckless Driving - The Communications Division will broadcast a BOL unless the
complainant is following or reporting a possible DUI. In this case, an officer will be dispatched.
10. Threats by Telephone - Threats by telephone will be handled by the report taker as outlined in the
following sections regarding telephone and online reporting (Sections III and IV), except in cases
where an imminent danger or threat is present (i.e., the suspect is on his way to the caller鈥檚
location), in which case an officer will be dispatched.
11. Vehicle Crashes - (See also: OPS-330 Traffic Crash Investigation)
a. Crashes - Callers involved in a vehicle crash shall be advised to remove their vehicles from the
roadway if able to do so (搂46.2-888 Code of Virginia).
b. Minor Crashes on Public Property
1) If available, a police aide shall be dispatched to minor vehicle crashes. Upon scene arrival,
if the police aide finds there are injuries or the crash damage is such the crash fits the
criteria for a major vehicle crash, they will request a police officer respond.
2) If one of the involved drivers is reporting the crash, they shall be advised that they may
exchange personal contact and insurance information;
c. Private Property Crashes - Handled as set out in OPS-330 Traffic Crash Investigations and do
not require the dispatch of a police officer unless there are reported injuries or extenuating
circumstances such as disorderly citizens.
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