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Newport News Police Department
2. The Internal Affairs Division is responsible for the administrative or internal investigation. Internal
Affairs investigators may respond to the scene to observe it firsthand to better assist them in their
investigation later. The focus of an internal investigation differs from that of a criminal investigation.
[11.3.4 (b)]
a. The internal investigation’s purpose is to examine:
1) Compliance with policy.
2) Training considerations.
3) Quality of supervision; and
4) Other issues, such as equipment concerns.
b. The Internal Affairs Division Commander will ensure the involved employee(s) and witnesses
sign a “Notification of Internal Investigation” (NNPD Form #442) (either personally or through
designation) on the incident date.
3. The criminal investigation will take precedence over the internal investigation, and normally,
criminal investigators will speak with the involved employees before the Internal Affairs
investigators. To ensure the protection of an employee’s compelled administrative statement,
Internal Affairs investigators will wait until the appropriate criminal investigators have concluded
their interviews before speaking with involved and witness employees. The Internal Affairs Division
will also consult with the City and Commonwealth’s Attorneys prior to conducting interviews to
ensure no other relevant factors exist to warrant a delay in the administrative investigation. While
information developed by the criminal investigation team may be provided to the Internal Affairs
Division, any compelled statements or any fruits of compelled statements developed by requiring
police employee cooperation with the Internal Affairs cannot and will not be disclosed to the
criminal investigative team. [11.3.4 (a,b)]
4. All involved and witnessing employees will be initially treated and questioned as if they were victims
or witnesses to a potential crime. Full cooperation from the involved and witness officers is
necessary.
5. If the preliminary investigation leads the investigator to believe a crime has occurred, any employee
who becomes the focus of the criminal investigation will be given the opportunity to consult with
legal counsel if they choose. All constitutional protections will apply. [1.2.3]
6. The Chief of Police will be briefed by investigators as soon as practical following the initial criminal
on-scene preliminary investigation. The Chief will consult with the Commonwealth’s Attorney to
determine a course of action. If appropriate, the Chief may request that the investigation be turned
over to an outside agency. [11.3.4(c)]
7. The Public Information Office is responsible for coordinating all media releases as approved by the
Chief of Police or designee. If other organizations or departments were directly involved in the
incident, the Chief of Police or designee will notify them of pending media releases at their discretion,
when appropriate. [11.3.4(d)]
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