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Newport News Police Department
5. The media shall not have access to the following information:
a. Any information that could hinder or prejudice the investigation.
b. Prior criminal history (record).
c. The character or reputation of the accused. (If the accused has not been apprehended, an officer
associated with the investigation may release any information necessary to aid in the
apprehension of the accused or to advise the public of a potential danger.)
d. The existence or contents of any confession, admission, or statement given by the accused, or
information about the presence or absence of any examination or tests conducted during an
investigation. [1.2.3(a,b)]
e. Personal opinions about the suspect, his guilt or innocence, mental status, anticipated plea, or
value of evidence against the accused.
f. The identity, testimony or credibility of confidential witnesses. [1.2.3(a,b)]
g. Suspects who are interviewed but not charged shall not be identified.
h. Name, address, and location of any victims of sexual offenses.
i. Name and address of juveniles arrested as provided by law.
j. Home address or telephone number of any Newport News Police Department employee.
k. The contents of a suicide note or electronically recorded message.
l. The amount of money taken in any robbery except for a general description, i.e., undisclosed
amount.
m. Specific cause of death until announced by the State Medical Examiner or their deputy.
6. Crime Scenes [54.1.1(a); 54.1.3]
a. Media representatives may be given guided access to crime scenes when it is determined
practical by the ranking investigating officer, except in the following instances:
1) When the crime scene is on private property and the owner of the property clearly requests
that news media representatives not be given access.
2) When the presence of news media representatives might adversely affect the preservation of
evidence at the scene or interfere with the investigation.
b. Crime scenes will be secured by department personnel and media access will not be permitted
within the secured area. News media coverage will be permitted adjacent to any barriers. Major
scenes may require a media staging area, at which time the on call PIO will be notified..
c. A news person may be permitted around a crime scene or a serious police incident, but they do
not have the authority to be within a crime scene or area which has been secured to preserve
evidence or at any location where their presence jeopardizes police operations.
d. News media representatives will be provided with preliminary information about the crime at
crime scenes either by the PIO or the ranking investigative officer (or designee). In the event
neither is available, the officers responding to the original call, to include officers working traffic
accidents, may provide verified information. Department members providing such information
will release information as set forth in Section II. B. 3 of this policy. The officer shall notify the PIO
as soon as possible as to the content of any information that was released.
7. Interviews and Photographs [54.1.1(a); 54.1.3]
a. Photographs or video may be taken from any area where the news media representatives have
been given access. Officers may restrict the use of flash, strobe or high intensity lights when the
use of such equipment would hinder a police operation, endanger officers or citizens by exposing
them to unnecessary risks, or creating a hazard (e.g., may cause an explosion in a gaseous
atmosphere).
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