4.130 Missing Persons and Runaways Flashcards
What is the overall policy of “4.130 - Missing Persons and Runaways”
“It is policy of the department to conduct thorough missing persons investigations to ascertain the possibility of a criminal act, to quickly initiate searches to reduce the possibility of harm to missing persons and to return missing, runaway, abandoned or abducted children to their families as soon as possible or to the appropriate facility, if they are victims of crimes in the home.”
“In compliance with the “National Child Search Assistance Act of 1990”, LVMPD will…”
“…not require any waiting period to make a missing persons report.”
“In accordance with the “National Child Search Assistance Act of 1990” and the federally mandated “Suzanne’s Law”, entry into NCIC will be made under the following circumstances:
- All juveniles, 17 years old and younger, will be entered into NCIC within 2 hours of receiving the required minimum data elements.
- Missing person 18 through 20 years old will also be entered into NCIC within 2 hours of receiving the required minimum data elements. (Suzanne’s Law)
- Adults (21 years and older) will only be entered into NCIC under the following circumstances,
a. Disabled
b. Endangered
c. Involuntary circumstances
d. Victim of a catastrophe
e. Other suspicious circumstances
What are the minimum data elements to enter someone into NCIC as a missing person?
- Name
- Date of birth
- Sex
- Race
- Height
- Weight
- Hair color
- Eye color
- Date of last known contact
Who must be contacted to enter or cancel a missing person from NCIC?
The Records and Fingerprint Bureau
Who is the Nevada State Clearinghouse for missing children?
Office of the Attorney General
If a missing juvenile is located, the report must still be completed. True or False?
TRUE
Missing Person - Patrol will:
- Respond to the scene and conduct a preliminary investigation
- Verify the minimum data elements for NCIC entry:
- Immediately contact the RFB NCIC Section to verify NCIC entry was completed and obtain the NIC number.
- Determine if the missing person meets the Missing Persons Detail callout criteria:
a. The missing juvenile is 11 years old and younger.
b. The missing person, adult or juvenile, has a documented diminished mental capacity of 11years old or younger.
c. The missing person, adult or juvenile, has a physical/medical condition or life-threatening situation that would hinder their ability to care for themselves, posing a significant risk of serious bodily harm or death.
d. The juvenile (17 years old and younger), is actively suicidal, making a direct threat to harm oneself (e.g., with a weapon, pills, jumper) via phone, text, email, social media (not merely possibly suicidal). For adults age 18 and older, refer to the Suicidal Subjects section on whom
to notify and how to investigate.
e. The missing juvenile(s) is involved in a child custody dispute and only if the child(ren) is in
immediate articulable danger and a threat to harm has been made. (For further direction, see
Criminal Offense Handbook’s specific scenarios).
f. The missing person has been reported as a lost/overdue hiker.
g. The found person is an adult, has proven guardianship over them, and the guardian cannot be located/contacted. - Avoid contacting the Missing Persons Detail for notification unless the callout criteria is met after a preliminary investigation has been completed.
- If the missing person meets the Missing Persons Detail callout criteria, ensure the NCIC entry reads: “If located, contact the on-call Missing Persons detective 24/7.”
- In situations where a parent/guardian is missing with their child(ren) and deemed not to be a custody issue, adhere to the following process:
a. The parent/guardian and child/children will be entered on the same P1 report but as separate NCIC entries.
b. Parents/guardians must be added as a “Person with Information” (PWI) using NCIC Missing Person – Person with Supplemental Information (LVMPD 510H) for each child’s NCIC entry. - If it is determined that the adult has a legal guardianship and diminished capacity, speak to the guardian of the missing adult and obtain documentation of the guardianship/medical condition to include in the report.
- a. If the PR claims guardianship and provides proof of guardianship, the PR’s contact information
(name and phone number) will be entered into the missing person’s SCOPE and NCIC records.
The endangerment factors that resulted in the guardianship will also be included in these
entries. - Start Incident Crime Report (ICR).
- If the case remains unsolved and still meets callout criteria, contact a supervisor, who will then notify the Missing Persons Detail.
a. The Missing Persons Detail will be notified during dayshift hours. After hours, the on-call Missing Persons detective(s) will be notified.
Suicidal Subject - If the subject is an adult but not threatening suicide under volatile circumstances (e.g., subject has not threatened to harm another, is not a danger to the community, nor is a “suicide by cop” threat), officers will:
- Use all available resources to locate the missing adult. These steps should be considered:
a. If the adult has a cellphone, patrol supervisor will request a Kelsey Smith phone ping through Dispatch supervisor.
b. Contact Fusion Center for a workup.
c. Add pertinent details into patrol briefing.
d. Hourly broadcast with description of the subject to all area commands (and vehicle if involved).
e. Obtain latest photo and upload into OnBase.
f. Obtain social media accounts and usernames/passwords.
g. Check area for video. - Make every attempt to locate the missing adult. If all avenues have been exhausted, complete a report for a missing adult and ensure they are entered into NCIC, to include if they are in possession of a weapon.
Suicidal Juveniles - If the subject is a juvenile but not threatening suicide under volatile circumstances (e.g., subject has not threatened to harm another, is not a danger to the community, nor is a “suicide by cop” threat), officers will:
- Use all available resources to locate the missing juvenile. These steps should be considered:
a. If the juvenile has a cellphone, patrol supervisor will request a Kelsey Smith phone ping through Dispatch supervisor.
b. Contact Fusion Center for a workup.
c. Add pertinent details into patrol briefing.
d. Hourly broadcast with description of the subject to all area commands (and vehicle if involved).
e. Obtain latest photo and upload into OnBase.
f. Obtain social media accounts and usernames/passwords.
g. Check area for video. - Complete a report for a missing juvenile and ensure they are entered into NCIC. Add the following to the NCIC notification: “If located, contact the on-call Missing Persons detective 24/7.”
If the suicidal juvenile is missing, Supervisor will:
Notify the on-call Missing Persons detective for requested response.
If the missing juvenile is threatening suicide under volatile circumstances, officers will:
Contact the on-duty or on-call patrol detective – not the on-call Missing Persons detective.
If there is a need to issue an Amber Alert, the applicable investigative detail will contact the Missing Persons Detail immediately. The Missing Persons Detail will assist the primary investigating section and respond as outlined in section manual. The Missing Persons Detail does not assume criminal
prosecution. An Amber Alert will be activated only when the following criteria are met:
a. Confirmed abduction.
b. Child is under 18 years old.
c. Threat of serious bodily harm or death.
d. Information on suspect and/or vehicle.
Will children be entered into NCIC on simple violation of custody alone?
No
Department members receiving information that an indigenous person age 18 or older is missing from an Indian reservation in Nevada will refer the PR to one of the following:
- Tribal police with jurisdiction over the Indian reservation from which the person is missing.
- The Nevada Department of Public Safety’s tribal liaison.
- The Missing and Murdered Unit of the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Office of Justice Services.
