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Newport News Police Department
ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL
ADM -355 – PATROL ASSIGNMENTS
Amends/Supersedes: ADM-355 (03/27/2017) Date of Issue: 05/06/2024
I. GENERAL
A. The Newport News Police Department’s precincts provide continuous (24/7) law enforcement first
responders to calls for service in the City of Newport News. Patrol officers are assigned in a manner that
ensures this coverage. [41.1.1(a)]
B. Each precinct is comprised of:
1. Two platoons (A and B). Platoon assignments guarantee continuous coverage by establishing which
days of the week patrol officers are scheduled to work. At any given time, at least one platoon will
work. At the discretion of the Chief of Police, the specified days off for platoons may be changed at
given intervals to allow officers access to weekends off, referred to as the changeover date. [41.1.1(f)]
2. Watch assignments. Patrol officers are assigned to a watch, establishing their shift start and end
times, which may be modified or extended based on patrol needs. [41.1.1(b)]
3. Beats. Each precinct is comprised of four beats. Patrol officers are assigned to patrol specified beats
with the intention of increasing officer’s familiarity with the community within those beats. It is best
practice to assign officers to the same beat consistently; however, changes to beat assignments will
occur as needed. [41.1.1(d,e)]
C. The assistant chief of Patrol Operations oversees all precinct operations, including the authority to
establish staffing requirements and assignment approval processes.
D. Each precinct captain oversees officer assignments to platoons and watches and may make assignments
and changes within their precinct at their discretion.
E. Precinct lieutenants and watch supervisors manage day-to-day scheduling, including beat assignments,
granting leave approval and finding coverage to maintain minimum staffing.
II. PROCEDURE
A. Annual Watch Bid [41.1.1(c)]
1. Annually, the assistant chief of Patrol Operations initiates the watch bid process, which allows patrol
officers to submit their assignment preferences.
2. Officers are notified when the bid process opens. Officers who do not submit a watch bid by the
closing date will be assigned at the precinct commander’s discretion.
3. Watch bid submissions are limited to patrol officers currently assigned to a watch who have
completed the field training program. Watch bid submissions include:
a. The officer's hire date and current assignment
b. Three ranked preferences for their precinct and watch assignments.
c. Identification of any special skills, certifications or team memberships.
d. The opportunity for a brief comment regarding their submission.
4. The bid results are distributed to the precinct captains once submissions are received.
a. Bids to transfer from one precinct to another are discussed during a scheduled meeting attended
by the chief of police, assistant chief of Patrol Operations, precinct captains, precinct tactical
lieutenants and other designated personnel.
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