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Newport News Police Department
ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL
ADM - 535 – CELLULAR PHONE USAGE
Amends/Supersedes: ADM-535 (08/23/2021) Date of Issue: 11/17/2025
I. GENERAL
A. Personnel will follow the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§2.2-3700 through §2.2-3714 of the Code
of Virginia) and ADM-160 Privacy/Dissemination of Information, relating to the dissemination of
information when using department cellular telephones (“cell phones”) in the course of their work
activities. [82.1.7]
B. Employees have no expectation of privacy regarding any communication, either received or generated,
while using department cell phones. The department reserves the right to access any information from
any department-issued electronic resource and may require employees to provide passwords upon
request.
C. Department issued cell phones are the property of the city, intended for use in carrying out government
business. The City of Newport News retains all personal property rights in any matter created, received,
or sent via the city's electronic communications systems, and such matter is not the property of the
employee.
D. Employees shall use their issued cell phones responsibly and professionally and will not intentionally
use them for any unlawful, or otherwise inappropriate purpose. Access to information and information
technology is agency mission essential; however, the use of cell phones is a revocable privilege.
Conformance with the acceptable use policy, unless specifically excepted, is required. (See alsoPAM-1403
Use of Information Technology Policy).
E. Employees issued a department cell phone are required to use that cell phone for department purposes
and are prohibited from forwarding that phone number to their personal cell phone. Officers will have
their city cell phone available for department use, including taking photographs and accessing systems
(i.e., Axon and Fusus). Supervisors should verify officers have these phones readily available during
inspections.
NOTE: Information recorded using a personal cell phone may be subjected to the rules of discovery,
resulting in a temporary loss of use, or possession of, the device, and the download of all the
phone’s information.
F. Employees are cautioned against relaying sensitive information over cell phones, which are less secure
than "landline" telephones.
II. DEFINITIONS
A. Use refers to telephone calls, text messages, digital photographs, or any other communication
transmitted via the cell phone.
B. Business use is for department, city, or federal business.
C. Personal communication is not for department, city, or federal business.
III. USAGE REQUIREMENTS
A. Operation
1. The Public Safety Information & Technology unit (IT) regulates all applications on department issued
cell phones. Employees are prohibited from modifying these settings. If an employee needs access to
an unavailable application or feature, they must submit a request to IT.
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