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Newport News Police Department - Operational Manual
OPS-540 - COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION
Amends/Supersedes: OPS-540 (09/03/2013) Date of Issue: 01/22/2020
I. GENERAL
The Department will notify affected community areas when incidents occur that are repeat, ongoing
situations, or when any crime is committed that presents a clear and immediate danger to City residents.
II. PROCEDURE
A. Initial Notification
1. Depending on the offense, the lead Commander, or designee, will coordinate the community
notification process with the Public Information Office (PIO). [54.1.1(d)]
2. After consultation with the investigating team and PIO, it is at the lead Commander’s
discretion concerning the level of information detail released. The information released may
be limited to the basics required by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to avoid
jeopardizing a successful investigation conclusion or endangering victim or witness safety.
B. Notification of Neighborhood Watch Groups/Neighborhoods [41.2.4; 45.2.1(a)]
1. It is the responsibility of the Bureau/Precinct/Division Commander in charge of the incident
to ensure each affected Neighborhood Watch Group’s chairperson(s) and the Neighborhood
Watch Coalition President are notified by telephone or personal contact as soon as possible
after the decision has been made for broad dissemination of the information. In addition, the
PIO will alert the news media, as necessary.
2. When beneficial to the successful conclusion of an investigation or the safety of residents,
the Department’s social media sites, community e-mail distribution lists, and/or televised
media may be used as resources for information release.
3. A media release may be used to target affected persons, businesses or areas. Information for
these alerts will be provided by the investigative team. All requests for crime-related notices
will be approved by the lead Commander or designated Lieutenant.
4. When additional/updated information becomes available, the lead Commander will notify
his counterpart (Precinct Captain or Criminal Investigations Division Commander) and the
PIO for updated release of information to the community, as appropriate.
C. The lead Commander will determine whether handbills, circulars, posters, etc., are needed, and
will authorize their distribution to area businesses/facilities, (i.e., convenience stores, barber shops,
rental offices, social centers, libraries, schools).
D. The Supervisor of the School Resource Officers Unit, or designee, is responsible for contacting the
Newport News Public Schools when serious on-going situations could affect the safety of children
going to and from or during school. The information will be distributed at the school system’s
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