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Newport News Police Department
OPERATIONAL MANUAL
OPS - 350 – TRAFFIC DIRECTION AND CONTROL
Amends/Supersedes: OPS-350 (06/11/2021) Date of Issue: 02/10/2025
I. GENERAL
A. Newport News Police Department personnel provide traffic direction and control under various
circumstances to maintain roadway safety and facilitate investigative activities.
B. For purposes of this policy, the term "officer" shall also apply in situations where a police aide is
performing traffic-related duties as part of their job function.
C. Police units will not be used to provide escorts for civilian vehicles in a medical emergency. The officer
will summon an ambulance to transport the person with the medical emergency. [61.3.3]
II. PROCEDURES
A. Manual Direction
1. Officers shall manually direct traffic at points and events requiring more than ordinary traffic control.
Such points and events may include, but are not limited to:
a. Crashes (see OPS-330 Traffic Crash Investigation); [61.3.2(a)]
b. Special events (e.g., parades, sporting events, etc.).
c. Adverse road and weather conditions, including but not limited to: [61.3.2(b)]
1) Gas line/hazardous material leaks.
2) Downed power lines.
3) Fires.
4) Flooding.
5) Emergency weather conditions.
2. When manually directing traffic, officers shall:
a. Wear a department issued or authorized traffic vest/reflective gear. [61.3.2(e)]
b. Position themselves as conspicuously as possible.
c. Position their vehicles, with emergency lights activated, in a highly visible location.
d. Use clear, uniform, hand, or flashlight signals, supplemented with whistle blasts when necessary.
e. Use temporary traffic control devices at their disposal (i.e., flares, cones, barricades, etc.) to
minimize danger to themselves and assist with traffic flow. Officers are responsible for removing
these control devices after completing the manual control. [61.3.2(d)]
3. When directing traffic at fire scenes, officers shall: [61.3.2(b)]
a. Cooperate with fire officials in establishing and maintaining a perimeter around the fire.
b. Direct the traffic flow to prevent vehicles from driving over fire hoses.
c. Control parking and spectators to minimize their interference with the traffic flow and
firefighting units.
4. Upon encountering a malfunctioning traffic light, officers shall:
a. Advise the Communications Division of the malfunction to be reported to the City’s Traffic
Engineering Department.
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