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Newport News Police Department
OPERATIONAL MANUAL
OPS-617 – RESPONSE TO EMPLOYEE-INVOLVED CRITICAL
INCIDENTS
Amends/Supersedes: OPS-617 (12/25/2023) Date of Issue: 03/17/2025
I. GENERAL
A. In all situations, the actions of department personnel will be governed by appropriate department
policies and legal restrictions.
B. These guidelines for handling and investigating officer-involved critical incidents establish the
responsibilities for involved officers, witness officers, and support employees, as well as responding
supervisors and investigators; however, stated portions of the policy also address procedures for any
employee-involved critical incident. The department will ensure all personnel responsible for the
management of critical incidents receive training on their responsibilities for the investigative process.
All personnel potentially impacted by a critical incident will receive training, so they are aware of the
investigative process. [11.3.4(e,f)]
C. Officer-involved critical incidents may produce symptoms of post-traumatic stress, including time and
space distortion, confusion, hearing and visual distortion and emotional impairment, including shock.
D. Any employee whose actions result in the death or serious physical injury of another shall be removed
from their current duty assignment pending an administrative review. The employee may be placed in a
temporary assignment, if deemed appropriate by the Chief of Police, pending the outcome of the
administrative review. [4.2.3]
II. DEFINITIONS
A. Critical Incident - For the purposes of this policy, a critical incident is generally defined as any incident
involving police personnel where death or serious injury occurs and any other serious or complex event
deemed by the Chief of Police to fall under this category.
B. Employee - As used in this policy, the term “employee” shall refer to any employee of the Newport News
Police Department, sworn and non-sworn, unless otherwise noted.
C. Involved Employee - Any employee who is actively and directly involved in a critical incident.
D. Witness Employee - Any employee not actively involved in the critical components of the incident but may
have witnessed, been present, or have knowledge of the incident.
E. Support Employee - An employee without a personal relationship with the involved employee (i.e., related by
blood, marriage, roommates, or romantic), assigned at the discretion of the on-scene supervisor based on
circumstances and availability of personnel, responsible for monitoring an involved employee and providing
support.
III. PROCEDURE
A. Responsibilities Following a Critical Incident
NOTE: If the involved employee is non-sworn, the first sworn officer on the scene will be responsible
for Section III. A. 1. c-e.
1. Involved employee(s) shall:
a. Immediately take all measures to render the situation safe and provide/summon medical
assistance for the injured. [4.1.5]
b. Notify the Communications Division of the situation:
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