207 Missing Persons

Question 1

A missing person of any age who suffers from a physical and/or mental disability that subjects themselves or others to immediate danger.

Answer 1

Missing Disabled Person

Question 2

A missing child, missing adult younger than 26 years of age, a missing adult 26 years of age or older who is suspected by a law enforcement agency of being endangered or the victim of criminal activity or a missing adult who meets the criteria for activation of the Silver Alert Plan of the Department of Law Enforcement..

Answer 2

Missing Endangered Person

Question 3

A person of any age who is missing under circumstances indicating that the disappearance may have been against his/her will (e.g. abduction or kidnapping).

Answer 3

Involuntary

Question 4

Florida legislation requiring that a report of a missing adult, 25 years of age or younger whose whereabouts are unknown, is accepted by the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction and is transmitted for inclusion within FCIC/NCIC as soon as the minimum criteria for entry of the missing person into FCIC/NCIC has been met.

Answer 4

Jennifer Kesse and Tiffany Sessions Missing Persons Act

Question 5

A person younger than 18 years of age, whose temporary or permanent residence is in, or is believed to be in this state, whose location has not been determined, and who has been reported as missing to a law enforcement agency.

Answer 5

Missing Child

Question 6

A second level activation of the Amber Alert System that can be issued for a child who is missing and believed to be in danger, when there is no apparent sign of abduction or does not meet all five Amber criteria but circumstances indicated that child may be in danger (for example a toddler disappears from a theme park while vacationing with his/her parents). A ________ Alert allows for immediate distribution to the media outlets for public awareness.

Answer 6

Missing Child Alert

Question 7

A plan to aid local law enforcement in the rescue of cognitively impaired individuals who become lost while driving a car, by broadcasting pertinent information to the public through the use of critical information bulletins posted on the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) road signs that provide descriptive information to the public about elderly missing persons.

Answer 7

Silver Alert

Question 8

A federal law (42 U.S.C.A. § 5779) that requires local law enforcement to make an entry into NCIC when someone between the ages of eighteen (18) and twenty-one (21) is reported missing. {CFA 18.1

Answer 8

Suzanne’s Law

Question 9

____________ broadcasts are critical information bulletins about child abduction cases that are released to the general public. Methods of broadcasts include radio, television, dynamic message signs, lottery machines, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) website www.missingchildrenalert.com. Law enforcement agencies are notified through their Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) terminal.

Answer 9

Amber Alert

Question 10

Who may file a missing involuntary, endangered or disabled person?

Answer 10

Any person having knowledge of a missing involuntary, endangered, or disabled person may file a missing persons report.

Question 11

In conformance with Florida State Statute (FSS) 937.021, what is the required waiting period prior to documenting/investigating a runaway/missing child?

Answer 11

There shall be no waiting period for the investigation or documentation of any runaway or missing child incident.

Question 12

What are the Supervisor Responsibilities in response to missing involuntary, disabled or endangered person?

Answer 12

1. Respond to the scene if:
   a. the disappearance is believed to be involuntary,
   b. the missing person is a child twelve (12) Y.O.A. or younger,
   c. there is a substantial risk to the missing person’s life if he/she is not located,
   d. or as otherwise deemed necessary.
   * **At the discretion of the platoon lieutenant, a supervisor may not need to respond to a missing person twelve (12) Y.O.A. or younger who is known to be a habitual runaway and there is credible evidence to believe the child’s disappearance does not pose an imminent danger to the child’s safety.
2. Ensure responding sworn member’s tasks have been completed.
3. Based on the circumstances, choose the appropriate search method.
4. Determine the need for additional personnel based on the circumstances (e.g. Detectives, K-9, Aviation support, etc.).
5. Determine the need to institute the Incident Command System.
6. If applicable as outlined in Policy 451.0(4), notify C.I.D., or the appropriate on-call detective sergeant if after normal business hours. {CFA 21.01}
7. Determine the need to request, through chain of command to the Enforcement Bureau Major or designee, assistance from the following:
   a. FDLE’s Child Abduction Response Team (C.A.R.T.).
   b. Reverse 911.
   c. Utilization of an area wide telephone messaging system, “A Child is Missing, Inc.”
   d. The Federal Bureau of Investigation.
   e. Civilian volunteers (such as citizens who are not agency members, but who wish to help with the search effort).
   f. Authorization to request issuance of a Silver Alert, Amber Alert, or Missing Child Alert.
8. Notify Platoon Lieutenant.
9. Notify the on-call victim’s advocate, if appropriate.

Question 13

What are the Platoon Lieutenant responsibilities with missing involuntary, disabled or endangered persons?

Answer 13

1. Notify the Division Captain.
2. Respond to the scene of an Advanced Response or Major Search Response, as defined in Policy 451.0, Criminal Investigations
3. serve as the Incident Commander until properly relieved.

Question 14

Amber Alert Criteria

Answer 14

a. The child must be under 18 years of age.
b. There must be a clear indication of abduction.
c. The law enforcement agency’s preliminary investigation must conclude that the child’s life is in danger.
d. There must be a detailed description of child, abductor, and/or vehicle to broadcast to the public (photo needed when available).
e. The activation must be recommended by the local law enforcement agency of jurisdiction.

Question 15

Missing Child Alert Criteria

Answer 15

a. The person must be under 18 years of age.
b. The law enforcement agency’s preliminary investigation must conclude that the child’s life is in danger.
c. Descriptive information and a photograph of the child must be available.
d. The agency of jurisdiction must approve the issuance of the Missing Child Alert.
use (MEPIC) at 888-356-4774, who shall review the facts and coordinate the Alert activation.

Question 16

Silver Alert Criteria

Answer 16

a. The missing person must be 60 years of age or older and have a clear indication of an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties (i.e., dementia).
b. Local law enforcement has already activated a local or regional alert by contacting media outlet in theirs and/or surrounding jurisdictions.
c. The law enforcement agency’s investigation must conclude that the disappearance poses a credible threat to the person’s welfare and safety.
d. There must be a description of the vehicle, and a tag number to display on the Florida Department of Transportation dynamic message signs, which has been verified by law enforcement.
e. The missing person must be entered into the Florida Crime Information Center and a statewide BOLO issued to other law enforcement 911 centers.
f. Under extraordinary circumstances a Silver Alert may be issued for a person age 18 to 59 who has an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties and law enforcement has determined the missing person lacks the capacity to consent, and that the use of dynamic message signs may be the only possible way to rescue the missing person.

Question 17

Alert Activation Procedures

Answer 17

a. Determine if the appropriate criteria has been met for the requested type of Alert.
b. Enter the missing person into FCIC/NCIC.
c. Notify the media through the Public and Media Relations Director or designee.
d. Initiate a statewide BOLO to other law enforcement/911 centers.
e. Contact the FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse (MEPIC) at 888-356-4774, who shall review the facts and coordinate the Alert activation.