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Newport News Police Department
b. If the officer is unsure whether the person meets the non-judiciary emergency custody
requirements set out in §37.2-808, the officer will contact a CSB crisis counselor through the
Communications Division.
1) The officer will remain with the subject until contacted by the crisis counselor, who will
screen the subject and determine what hospital, if any, the subject will be transported to.
2) Proper restraining devices, to include handcuffs, will be used if necessary to prevent injury
to the individual or the officer.
3) Should the person’s exhibited potential for violence be such that officer believes the use of
handcuffs will be insufficient, they should request the assistance of Fire Department
Paramedics, advising them of the problem and the need for additional restraining devices (i.e.
medically appropriate devices authorized by Fire Department policy). [70.2.1; 70.3.1]
4) The CSB counselor may authorize the officer to transport the subject to a health care facility
for evaluation without a custody order.
5. Most court orders for mental detentions will be served by the Newport News Sheriff’s Department.
Should Police Department personnel be requested to assist, they should render whatever aid is
necessary to ensure everyone's safety. If the Sheriff's Office response time will be outside the set legal
limit, the officer may pick up and serve the TDO with supervisory approval.
6. When the request is for transportation of the detainee, the officer shall receive verbal authority from
their supervisor, confirm the court order, take the person into custody, and proceed to the facility
designated for detention by the court order.
F. Transport of Persons Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis Persons [41.2.7(c); 70.3.2]
1. When an ECO exists, officers must review the ECO and identify whether an alternative transportation
has been named. Officers will only complete custodial transports for an ECO if NNPD is the designated
transporter.
2. When NNPD personnel transport a person who has been taken into custody, the transporting vehicle
will include a shield/partition. If possible, two officers should handle the custody and transport. If
transportation by ambulance is required, one officer shall accompany the ambulance crew during
transport. If an alternative transportation provider has been authorized, officers will transfer
custody to the alternative provider after they execute the ECO and take the person into custody.
3. Persons taken into custody in apparent need of medical treatment independent of their mental
disorder or requiring a medical evaluation prior to admission at the mental detention facility, must
be taken to a medical facility (e.g., Riverside Regional Medical Center, Mary Immaculate Hospital, etc.)
prior to being taken to the detention facility. (§37.2-808C Code of Virginia)
NOTE: The Sheriff’s Department will not accept the person until they have received medical
treatment.
4. Persons taken into custody and transported shall remain the responsibility of the transporting officer
until custody is assumed by the receiving personnel at the detention facility.
5. The officer transporting the detainee shall advise Communications of their destination and estimated
time of arrival so the receiving facility may be made aware that a mentally disturbed person is
enroute.
G. Execution of Temporary Detention Orders (TDO’s) [74.2.1]
1. Officers called upon to execute temporary detention orders shall do so pursuant to §37.2-809 of the
Code of Virginia.
2. The officer shall respond to the health care facility on the order and verify with the mental health
care worker that the person detained at the facility is the same person named on the order, executing
it upon verification.
3. The officer will keep the original copy of the order and return it to the Magistrate. The other copy is
given to the mental health care worker to provide the detainee.
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