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c. Virginia Victims Fund specializes in helping victims of violent crime with out-of-pocket
expenses. (800) 552-4007
d. Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board provides youth, adults, and families with
clinical and social support services for those experiencing mental health crisis, trauma, and
substance abuse, including a 24-hour crisis line. (757) 788-0011
B. Notification/Response
1. Communications Division personnel receiving a call from a crime victim or witness shall
determine if a response is required by Department personnel and dispatch officers if the situation
is an emergency. Depending upon the circumstances involved, an officer may be dispatched to
non-emergency situations, or the victim/witness will be referred to the Victim/Witness Director of
the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office during regular business hours. If personnel determine the
call meets the criteria for a person in crisis, see OPS-648 Community Assistance Response
Program (CARE). If the caller specifies that they are looking for domestic or sexual violence
support, they may be referred to the above crisis lines.
2. The primary officer dispatched to the scene of a reported crime is responsible for conducting the
preliminary investigation (see OPS-492 Criminal Investigations & Case Management) unless
otherwise directed by a supervisor.
3. The same guidelines outlined above will be followed when a victim or witness is contacted during
officer-initiated calls, telephone, or walk-in at headquarters or any precinct.
C. Preliminary Investigation
1. In many cases, the first contact with the victim and/or witness will be the most impressionable.
Officers will conduct themselves in a professional manner and make all attempts to reduce their
anxieties or fears. The officer should relocate the victim to a less threatening/more secure
environment whenever possible.
2. The officer will make every effort to obtain as much information as possible and complete an
Incident-Based Report (IBR), (see OPS-490 Incident-Based Reporting).
NOTE: The IBR will include contact information for victims and witnesses. Whenever possible,
officers should obtain at least two contact methods (i.e., cellphone, work phone, email,
etc.) and indicate in the report which the victim prefers for follow-up activities.
3. The investigating officer will attempt to assess the victim's needs. After the preliminary
investigative information has been gathered, or when the officer no longer needs to question the
victim and/or witness further, the investigating officer will provide the victim/witness with:
a. The opportunity to contact relatives or a friend for support. If the victim requests a family
member or friend to provide emotional support, they should be accommodated so long as it
does not interfere with the investigation.
b. A copy of the What Happens Next Pamphlet (NNPD Form #204a), and, if available to the
officer, any other referral number appropriate for the circumstances, as provided by the
Domestic Violence Unit (DVU), Special Victims Unit (SVU), or community service provider
(i.e., palm cards, brochures, etc.). [55.2.3(a)].
c. The case number and current status. [55.2.3(c)]
d. A general explanation of how the case will be processed by NNPD personnel, based on the
case status and procedures found in OPS-492 Criminal Investigations & Case Management.
[55.2.3(c)]
1) Patrol officers providing this information should keep the information general, explaining
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