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
a. Whenever an officer discharges a firearm or less-lethal munitions. [4.2.1(a)]
NOTE: This also includes discharging a firearm at an animal. Exceptions to this procedure
are discharging a firearm at or as part of the following: organized shooting matches;
authorized range training; legal, personal practice and hunting.
b. When the use of force results in a visible injury or death of any person, including officers. [4.2.1(b)]
c. When a subject complains that an injury has been inflicted as the result of an application of force
by an officer. [4.2.1(b)]
d. When a chemical deployment occurs.
e. In situations where defensive or active resistance is employed against an officer.
f. Whenever an impact weapon is used.
g. Whenever an ECD is discharged in a police encounter with a suspect.
2. If multiple officers are involved in a use of force incident, only the first officer employing force shall
be required to submit the Use of Force report, along with any necessary incident reports. [4.2.1(c)]
a. Other officers involved in the incident shall each submit a letter detailing their actions/role in the
incident. The letters are attached to the Use of Force Report.
b. The incident report number from the records management system (RMS) will be referenced in
the Axon Standards incident ID field. Associated documents, body-worn camera videos and
relevant photos will attached/linked to the report or event.
NOTE: The on-duty supervisor is not required to submit a letter re-stating the actions of the
involved officer(s). However, the supervisor will note in either report area (attaching
any additional letters needed) any actions they took relevant to the incident, any
comments substantiating the justification of the use of force, or any recommendations
they might have regarding the incident if they do not concur with how the incident
was handled.
3. In the situations detailed above in Section III. E. 1 and below in Sections III. F and G, the involved
officer(s) shall immediately notify a supervisor after rendering the situation safe and
providing/summonsing medical assistance for anyone who is unconscious, has obvious severe
injuries, or is in apparent medical distress. Upon notification, the supervisor shall be responsible for:
[4.1.5; 81.2.4(f)]
a. Ensuring that the scene has been protected and witnesses identified and detained.
b. Notifying the involved officers’ precinct/division commander if the injuries are of a serious
nature.
c. Having digital photographs taken of any alleged injuries.
d. Notifying the Internal Affairs Division should the injuries result in someone being transported to
the hospital.
e. Ensuring Axon body camera data, relating to all Use of Force incidents has been uploaded to
Evidence.com, and attached to Use of Force Report.
f. Ensuring any digital photographs of an ECD deployment impact site or other Use of Force
incidents are attached to the Use of Force report or event. Any other evidence collected will be
entered into Property and Evidence and noted in the reports to the Internal Affairs Division.
4. Use of Force Report Review Process
a. The Use of Force report must be submitted for supervisory review before the end of the officer’s
workday.
b. All supervisors through the officer’s chain of command will review and sign off on the Use of
Force report.
OPS-110 - 7 of 10 – 08/11/2025Jump to an indexed page (10 of 10)