This page uses extracted PDF text. Text can misread numbers, dates or table columns. Check the PDF before quoting or interpreting it. Redacted areas remain redacted.
Newport News Police Department
l. When an ECD has been deployed or when any part of a use of force or critical incident has been
captured on an Axon body camera system, the data will be saved into Evidence.com and linked to
the Use of Force report. (see ADM-570 Body-worn Cameras)
m. Any discharges/deployments of an ECD or cartridge resulting from an accident and/or
malfunction will be reported to the shift/unit supervisor as soon as possible, and a Use of Force
report will be filed, per III.E.
NOTE: Any accidental discharge/deployment that is not associated with a use of force
incident does not require completion of a Use of Force report.
n. Equipment malfunction
1) Any malfunction of an ECD or cartridge other than those resulting in discharge/deployment
shall be reported to the shift/unit supervisor as soon as possible.
2) If an Axon camera malfunctions and no replacement camera is available for the officer to wear
during their work shift, the ECD shall be carried without the use of the Axon. The officer shall
notify their shift/unit supervisor of the inoperative Axon and the fact that there will be no
Axon camera footage available.
8. Less-Lethal Munitions [4.1.4]
a. Less-lethal projectiles are recognized as impact weapons, delivered from shotguns, 37mm, or
40mm weapon systems. They are extended-range, kinetic energy impact devices. Within the
reasonable force options, they are commonly considered to be at the level of “hard impact
weapons,” where the use of less-lethal projectiles is considered unlikely to cause death or serious
physical injury. These weapons may be considered lethal force if intentionally delivered to
potentially lethal striking areas (e.g., head, chest, spine, groin, etc.) where probable injury or
death may result. [4.3.1(a,b)]
b. When engaging a target, the officer should evaluate the effectiveness of each round during the
volley. Compliance and/or incapacitation are the desired goals, and alternative target
areas/responses should be considered when rounds are not effective. Alternative target
areas/response considerations will be based on the circumstances the officer is encountering and
the established department safety priorities.
c. It is imperative to remember to wait for the less-lethal round fired to take effect prior to leaving
a position of cover. There must be a clear separation of the suspect from their weapon prior to
moving in tactically.
d. Once the suspect is in custody, they must be examined by a medical professional at a hospital. All
suspects who are struck by a less-lethal round shall be transported to a medical facility for
examination. [4.1.5]
B. Parameters for the Use of Lethal Force
1. An officer may resort to lethal force when necessary to: [4.1.1; 4.1.2]
a. Protect the officer or another person from what is reasonably believed by the officer to be an
immediate threat of death or serious bodily harm.
b. Prevent the escape of a fleeing felon when the officer has probable cause, and not just mere
suspicion, to believe the suspect will pose a significant threat to human life should escape occurs.
c. Destroy an animal that represents an immediate threat to public safety or as a humanitarian
measure where the animal is seriously injured.
NOTE: The use of lethal force shall only be used when there is no other reasonable
alternative to counter a threat of a vicious animal. If possible, the officer should use
other non-lethal methods, including ECD or O.C. spray and retreating from the threat,
before resorting to the use of a firearm.
OPS-110 - 5 of 10 – 08/11/2025Jump to an indexed page (10 of 10)