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
OPERATIONAL MANUAL
OPS-355 – DISABLED OR STRANDED MOTORISTS
Amends/Supersedes: OPS-355 (12/11/2017) Date of Issue: 04/22/2024
I. GENERAL
Newport News Police Department officers and police aides will provide reasonable assistance to motorists
who appear to be in need and who request assistance. [61.4.1]
II. PROCEDURE
A. The first officer on the scene of a disabled or stranded motorist shall:
1. Advise the Communications Division of the disabled vehicle and give its location and license number.
2. Activate emergency lights while assisting disabled vehicles. [41.2.1]
3. Provide traffic control as necessary.
4. Upon the owner's/driver's request, the officer shall request the Communications Division to contact
and dispatch a district wrecker or a specific (local) wrecker named by the stranded motorist to tow
the disabled vehicle. If the motorist cannot access a cellular phone, the officer may call a
transportation service or individual named by the stranded motorist for transportation.
a. In the event neither a transportation service or an individual can be contacted, the officer may,
with the permission of the on-duty supervisor, transport the motorist to the nearest secure place
with access to a telephone.
b. When needed, the officer shall advise the Communications Division they are transporting
someone of the opposite sex when they provide the mileage as they leave the scene and upon
arrival.
c. Police officers and police aides will not attempt to repair stranded vehicles. This includes jump-
starting with a police vehicle/jump box or tire changing.
d. Officers will not transport any gasoline or petroleum products in police vehicles at any time.
e. Officers may assist the public in entering locked vehicles only under emergency conditions
jeopardizing safety or welfare.
1) When a person (child, elderly, etc.) is locked in a vehicle, officers must assess the need for and
request a medical evaluation when appropriate.
2) When an animal is locked in a vehicle without the owner present, particularly during extreme
heat, the officer will request that the Communications Division notify Animal Welfare.
3) If emergency entry necessitates the officer breaking a window, officers should use the
window furthest away from an occupant whenever possible.
B. In cases that necessitate emergency action, the first officer on the scene shall:
1. Advise the Communications Division of location and vehicle description.
2. In case of personal injury or fire:
a. Request the Communications Division to dispatch an ambulance and/or fire unit.
b. Administer first aid to the injured.
c. Utilize the department fire extinguisher in cases of small fires.
C. Pushing Vehicles
1. Disabled vehicles should be removed from the roadway by tow truck operators. However, occasions
may arise in which the disabled vehicle presents an immediate traffic hazard and remaining in the
OPS-355 - 1 of 2 – 04/22/2024Jump to an indexed page (2 of 2)