Missing Persons/Runaways

Question 1

What is the policy of the department regarding missing persons investigations?

Answer 1

Conduct thorough investigations to ascertain the possibility of a criminal act and quickly initiate searches to reduce harm to missing persons.

The goal is to return missing, runaway, abandoned, or abducted children to families or appropriate facilities.

Question 2

Is being a missing person considered a crime?

Answer 2

No, being a missing person is not a crime but must be investigated to determine if there is a suspicious nature.

Investigations are handled by LVMPD.

Question 3

Who has the primary responsibility for follow-up investigations on missing persons?

Answer 3

The Missing Persons Detail.

This includes juvenile or adult cases and child custody (civil) cases.

Question 4

What is the time frame for entering juveniles into the NCIC?

Answer 4

Immediately upon receiving the required minimum data elements, not to exceed two hours.

This applies to juveniles 17 years old and younger.

Question 5

What are the minimum data elements required for NCIC entry?

Answer 5

• Name
• Date of birth
• Sex
• Race
• Height
• Weight
• Hair color
• Eye color
• Date/time of last known contact.

Question 6

Under what circumstances can adults be entered into the NCIC?

Answer 6

If they have a disability, are in physical danger, are a victim of a catastrophe, or are missing under suspicious or involuntary circumstances.

Adults may go missing for various reasons.

Question 7

What are the mandatory categories for NCIC entries?

Answer 7

• Disability (EMD)
• Endangered (EME)
• Involuntary (EMI)
• Juvenile (EMJ)
• Catastrophe victim (EMV)
• Other (EMO).

Question 8

What type of missing person entry is used for juveniles under 21 in NCIC?

Answer 8

Amber Alert (AA) for EME or EMI transactions and Child Abduction (CA) for EME or EMI transactions.

Must be less than 21 years of age.

Question 9

What actions should personnel take when reporting missing persons aged 20 and under?

Answer 9

Attempt to obtain minimum data elements within two hours and contact the RFB NCIC Section immediately after.

This is crucial for timely NCIC entry.

Question 10

What happens if a juvenile is located after a missing persons report?

Answer 10

The report must be completed and the NCIC record canceled by contacting RFB’s NCIC Section.

Question 11

What is the role of the Communications Bureau in missing persons cases?

Answer 11

Receive reports, confirm last-known locations, and enter data into NCIC within two hours if criteria are met.

Question 12

What is the First Responder’s Checklist used for?

Answer 12

It is used by officers to conduct preliminary investigations for reported missing adults or juveniles.

Question 13

When should a patrol unit be dispatched in missing persons cases?

Answer 13

If the missing person is age 11 and under, has a legal guardianship, or has a physical/medical condition that poses a significant risk.

Question 14

What should be included in the NCIC entry for missing persons?

Answer 14

The circumstances of the case, including if the person was abducted by a non-custodial parent or stranger.

Question 15

What is the responsibility of the Missing Persons Detail supervisor?

Answer 15

Determine whether to respond to a callout for missing persons cases.

Question 16

What should officers do when dealing with suicidal adults?

Answer 16

Complete a preliminary investigation and locate the missing adult using all available resources.

Question 17

What should be done if a missing adult is threatening suicide under volatile circumstances?

Answer 17

Contact the on-duty or on-call patrol detective.

Question 18

What is the protocol for handling a runaway report involving multiple juveniles?

Answer 18

Each runaway receives a separate event number and P1 report unless they have the same parents/guardians.

Question 19

What is the importance of the NIC number in missing persons reports?

Answer 19

It must be added to the P1 records management system to indicate NCIC entry completion.

Question 20

What should officers do if all avenues to locate a missing adult have been exhausted?

Answer 20

Complete a report for a missing adult and ensure they are entered into NCIC, including weapon possession status.

NCIC stands for National Crime Information Center.

Question 21

Who should officers contact if a missing adult is threatening suicide under volatile circumstances?

Answer 21

The on-duty or on-call patrol detective, not the on-call Missing Persons detective.

Question 22

What steps should officers take if the missing subject is a juvenile but not threatening suicide?

Answer 22

Complete a preliminary investigation and use all available resources to locate the missing juvenile:
* Request a Kelsey Smith phone ping through Dispatch
* Contact Fusion Center for a workup
* Add details into patrol briefing
* Broadcast description to area commands
* Obtain latest photo and upload into OnBase
* Obtain social media accounts and usernames/passwords
* Check area for video
* Complete a report for NCIC entry.

Question 23

What are the criteria for activating an Amber Alert?

Answer 23

The following criteria must be met:
* Confirmed abduction
* Child is under 18 years old
* Threat of serious bodily harm or death
* Information on suspect and/or vehicle.

Question 24

What must be included in the NCIC entry for an Amber Alert?

Answer 24

The entry must indicate:
* Involuntary (EMI) or Endangered (EME)
* Missing Person Code (MNP) field as ‘AA’
* Missing Person Circumstances (MPC) field as ‘S’ for ‘Abducted by Stranger.’

Question 25

How should a Person of Interest (POI) be entered in NCIC in relation to an Amber Alert?

Answer 25

The POI must be entered as a 'Person with Information' (PWI) using specific forms, not as a separate NCIC missing person entry.

Question 26

What information is required for all cancellations of missing persons?

Answer 26

The following must be included: * Name, address, and phone contact of the citizen reporting the cancellation * Reason for disappearance, if known * Location and circumstances of contact if cancellation is due to field contact.

Question 27

What happens when a missing juvenile turns 21?

Answer 27

Missing juveniles who become adults do not have to be canceled if they are still missing and can remain in NCIC.

Question 28

What actions should be taken for phone cancellations during normal business hours?

Answer 28

Refer to the Missing Persons Detail for verification and complete necessary NCIC cancellation forms.

Question 29

What must officers do when they contact a missing person?

Answer 29

Review the original missing persons report and NCIC record, and contact the guardian if a guardianship is in place.

Question 30

What should officers do in a child custody case where abduction is claimed?

Answer 30

Investigate the adverse party as a taking parent if probable cause exists, and ensure proper documentation is made.

Question 31

When will children not be entered into NCIC on simple violations of custody?

Answer 31

Children will not be entered unless probable cause exists for kidnapping.

Question 32

What is the protocol if a child is in immediate danger during a custody matter?

Answer 32

Only notify the Missing Persons Detail if the child is in immediate danger of physical harm.

Question 33

What should department members do if an indigenous person is missing from an Indian reservation?

Answer 33

Refer the case to tribal police with jurisdiction, the Nevada Department of Public Safety’s tribal liaison, or the Missing and Murdered Unit of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.