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Newport News Police Department
OPERATIONAL MANUAL
OPS-520 – MEDIA RELATIONS & PUBLIC INFORMATION
Amends/Supersedes: OPS-520 (10/17/2017) Date of Issue: 08/10/2026
I. GENERAL
A. All members of this department will strive to maintain a relationship of professionalism, trust,
cooperation, mutual respect, ethical treatment, and a free flow of information with the public and news
media without partiality.
B. Employees of the department who believe they have been treated unethically by members of the media
should contact the department’s Public Information Office (PIO).
NOTE: A copy of media code of ethics is on file within the PIO’s office
II. PROCEDURE
A. Public Information Office
1. The PIO communications manager serves as the primary public information officer for the Newport
News Police Department. A member of the PIO will be available 24 hours a day to handle the liaison
duties between the media and the department. Regular working hours before the PIO are 0800 to
1700 hours. After regular hours, weekends, or holidays, the on call PIO may be contacted by the media
directly or contact the Communications Division to identify the on call PIO. [54.1.1(a)]
NOTE: If the PIO is unable to be contacted, the highest ranking supervisor assigned to the division
handling the situation shall be notified. This person shall assume the responsibility of
releasing the information or shall designate the person who will disseminate this
information. The PIO shall be notified as soon as possible and forwarded the content of the
information that was released.
2. Any major incident likely to attract news media attention shall be brought to the attention of the PIO.
[41.2.5(f)]
3. The PIO shall be notified on the following: [46.1.2; 54.1.1(a)]
a. Police shootings.
b. Tactical situations (e.g. hostage, barricade situations). [46.1.4(k)]
c. Serious accidents involving police vehicles, or any serious injury to Department personnel.
d. Homicides, accidental deaths, suicides or malicious wounding with serious injury.
e. Vehicle accidents involving fatalities, or serious injury or major property damage that may
prompt an inquiry by the media.
f. Incidents involving people whom, by their position in society, are of interest to the public (e.g.
politicians, celebrities, community leaders).
g. Missing people, when an intensive search has begun, or when there are indications that a crime
has been committed (e.g. Amber, Silver or Codi Alerts). [41.2.5(f); 41.2.6(c)]
h. Natural or man-made disasters resulting in loss of life and/or extensive property damage.
i. Demonstrations, strikes or civil disorders, regardless of damage. [46.1.3(f)]
j. Bank robberies, kidnapping or verified abduction.
k. Incidents that generate increased media inquiries.
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