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Newport News Police Department
travel lane will cause significant traffic backups. In those instances, officers should push the vehicle
out of the travel lane if they can do so safely.
2. Push bumpers may be used for pushing disabled vehicles that are on a public highway or roadway,
causing, or likely to cause, obstruction of traffic. [61.4.1(d)]
3. Police units will not push any vehicle with a gross weight over 5,500 pounds.
4. The following conditions shall be given consideration before attempting to push a disabled vehicle.
a. Avoid over-the-hill pushing.
b. If bumper contact is lost, ensure the disabled vehicle has stopped before you regain bumper
contact.
c. Make certain you can see the disabled vehicle you are pushing at all times.
d. Avoid deep holes, as this can cause misalignment of the bumpers.
e. Avoid pushing on questionable surfaces like ice or snow, which may cause traction loss.
f. Avoid 90-degree turns if possible.
5. Officers assigned units equipped with push bumpers must have the proper training to utilize them
and demonstrate in the presence of their supervisor their ability to properly use them following
specific guidelines.
6. Prior to utilizing the push bumpers, the owner/operator will be advised that the City is not
responsible for damage occurring to a vehicle. In addition, the officer shall have the owner/operator
sign the NNPD Form #284 Push Bumper Request Form documenting their consent and request to have
his vehicle pushed.
7. DO NOT push a vehicle without a driver. Determine if the driver is capable of operating the vehicle
and obeying the following instructions, which the officer will explain to the driver:
a. Examine the bumper of the vehicle to be pushed for stability.
b. Check for the proper alignment of bumpers on both vehicles.
c. Visually check the wheels on the vehicle to be pushed for free movement.
d. Put the vehicle in neutral.
e. Take and keep your foot off the brake.
f. Make certain the steering wheel is unlocked, if applicable.
g. Explain that the power steering and brakes will not be engaged, making them harder to operate.
h. Point out the destination of the push.
i. Explain that the operator will feel a slight bump when the push bumper makes contact with the
vehicle.
j. Have the operator signal when ready to be pushed by raising their hand.
k. Do not exceed 10 m.p.h. during push.
8. When pushing the vehicle, proceed with caution to ensure movement of all wheels.
9. Officers assigned units equipped with push bumpers shall:
a. Report any damage to either vehicle sustained during a push to the on-duty supervisor.
b. Record the information required by NNPD Form #284 each time the push bumpers are used.
Submit the form to the fleet coordinator, in the Logistics Division.
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