Hurricane Response Plan: Essential Personnel

University Police Department

All police personnel are considered essential; as such, they are subject to call out beginning 72 hours prior to, during and after the hurricane.  Police officers and dispatch personnel are expected to be able to arrive at the University Police Office within one hour of call out.  All police personnel are expected to be able to sustain lengthy periods of service during this time.  Therefore, personnel shall arrive at the University Police Office prepared for an extended work period.

Before the hurricane, police officers shall:

1. Secure the exterior doors of all University buildings.
2. Report any unsafe conditions to the appropriate department head.
3. Observe and report to Plant Operations or the appropriate city agency any area that cannot be properly secured.
4. Service all police vehicles.
5. Provide emergency transportation within capability, on orders of the University Police supervisor.

The on-duty University Police supervisor shall provide one (1) police radio to the Plant Operations for communications. The 10 code shall be suspended; all police personnel shall use plain language to communicate all messages.

All personnel will be assigned to posts, as determined by the Chief of Police or designee.

It is the responsibility of the University Police Department to protect the lives and property of the University community. Police officers must patrol the campus and take all measures to prevent looting of property. In the event that a police officer observes any looting, the police officer will arrest the perpetrator(s).

The police will also assist in the emergency transportation needs of the members of the community, within capability and upon order of the University Police supervisor. Police will monitor traffic and provide control as necessary.

The Emergency Command Center has the ability to be in radio contact with the City of Newport News Emergency Management Office, Police, Fire and Rescue, and will coordinate all efforts to be consistent with local procedures.

After the hurricane, the police department will be responsible to assist in reporting conditions to the Director of Plant Operations.  The police officer shall report the following condition:

1. areas of broken glass
2. areas that need to be secured
3. areas that are flooded and unsafe for passage
4. down trees and limbs
5. broken and sagging electrical lines
6. damaged buildings
7. any gas or oil leaks
8. failure of any emergency lighting system to activate.

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