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Newport News Police Department
b. Members of the Department will not prevent the photographing of defendants when they are in
public places outside the courtroom. They will neither encourage nor discourage pictures and
must not pose with the accused.
c. Booking photos will be released, through the PIO. Other department photographs of a suspect
may be released provided the photograph will not jeopardize an investigation. It is proper to
disclose this type of information to enlist public assistance in apprehending fugitives from justice.
Such disclosures may include photographs as well as other information if not prohibited by policy
or law.
d. Areas of access for news media representatives within the confines of Newport News Police
Department facilities will include:
1) Any areas open to the public.
2) Any designated area set aside for news media briefings.
3) Any area to which the news media representatives are provided guided access by a member
of this Department.
NOTE: No photographing of suspects or witnesses will be permitted in any working areas
of the Department.
e. News media representatives shall be permitted to interview victims of crime or disasters, who
have consented to such interviews provided:
1) The victim is not undergoing medical attention.
2) If victims desire not to be interviewed, the news media representative will be so advised.
8. Releasing Sensitive Information [54.1.1(e)]
a. Items of evidence should not be made public, which, if disclosed, would be prejudicial to the
solution of the case. Photographs may be furnished of a person accused by indictment or warrant.
Where the identity of a suspect has not been established, it may be desirable to publicize
descriptions, artists’ sketches, or other information that could lead to the identification and arrest
of the suspect.
b. Suspects who are interviewed, but not charged, should not be identified.
c. The finding of physical evidence, such as weapons or proceeds of the crime, the issuance and
service of a search warrant, and the positive or negative results of the search, may be released
provided the search was not carried out under authority of a federal search warrant which has,
or may be, subject to a federal gag order or is prejudicial. Information as to how a weapon or
evidence of the crime was located should be withheld if this involved information that is
prejudicial or confidential.
d. Fugitive cases may require wide publicity. Records of conviction should not be publicized. The
circumstances and facts in each case will be the controlling factors in decisions. In some fugitive
cases it may be necessary to withhold information when its publication would be detrimental to
the apprehension of the wanted person. Common sense should dictate the manner in which
fugitive cases are handled with a positive view toward the public interest and safety and
protection of other law enforcement agencies.
e. References to cases being tried in court will be directed to the Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Members of the police department, including the PIO, will not comment on any case being tried.
The only exception to this shall be by or at the direction of the Chief of Police.
9. Guidelines for news media representatives arriving on the scene. [54.1.1(a,b,c,d); 54.1.3]
a. News media representatives shall have the proper identification (credentials) before being
allowed access. If the news media representative does not have the proper identification, access
may be permitted by the officer in charge or the PIO.
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