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Newport News Police Department
b. Manually direct traffic until a representative from the City's Traffic Engineering Department
arrives if the malfunctioning light presents a traffic hazard and if the representative can respond
in a reasonable amount of time or use the traffic control box to change the malfunctioning light
to flashing whenever it is safe and appropriate. [61.3.2(c)]
B. Escorts [61.3.3]
1. Funerals
Assignment of motorcycles, police aide vehicles, or regular patrol units shall be made when the
funeral home involved advises the Secondary Employment coordinator of the need for escort
services. Funeral homes that do not provide the request at least 24 hours before the needed escort
will be advised that the department may be unable to accommodate the request. The Secondary
Employment coordinator shall assign the escort duty to at least two officers, unless additional officers
are requested, based on the number of vehicles in the procession.
a. Officers shall arrive at the point of origin no later than five minutes before the scheduled
departure time. They will notify the Communications Division before starting the escort. The
officers will notify the funeral director of the chosen route and the speed at which the procession
will travel (speeds should be between 20 and 30 mph, depending on traffic and weather
conditions).
b. Emergency vehicles involved in the escort must use emergency lights and unit headlights. The
siren shall be used only when clearing an intersection or to clear traffic throughout the escort.
c. The lead unit shall leave a safe distance between itself and the lead car in the procession. When
approaching an intersection with traffic control, the lead unit will move ahead into the
intersection, stopping traffic in all directions. The unit will move ahead only when it is confident
that traffic will remain stopped until the procession passes. Units shall continue this procedure
until they reach their destination.
d. As a courtesy to the deceased, the officers can stand outside their vehicle with a hand or hat over
the badge. After the procession has passed, the officers shall notify the Communications Division
of its completion and resume their assigned duties.
2. Oversized Load Escorts
a. Whenever a vehicle that exceeds legal dimensions travels over Newport News City streets, the
organization owning that vehicle must obtain an oversized hauling permit from the City's
Engineering Department, even though they may have a permit issued by the Commonwealth of
Virginia in their possession.
b. The city permit requires the hauler to contact the designated Special Operations supervisor to
schedule the load. The Special Operations supervisor or their designee will contact the secondary
employment coordinator to hire the appropriate number of officers for the permit's specific load
and route restrictions.
c. This state permit is not valid within the corporate limits of the City of Newport News. However,
the city will honor the state permit when the oversized haul is moving through the city on a
"Primary Permit " and does not deviate from its route on a primary state highway.
d. Before undertaking an oversized load escort, the lead officer or supervisor shall determine that
a city permit has been issued and shall review all information on this and/or any accompanying
state permit.
e. The escort shall proceed only by the route indicated on the moving permit.
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