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203 Missing Endangered Persons (Issued 05-15-2008)FRIDLEY POLICE DATE OF ISSUE NUMBER: GENERAL ORDER May 15, 2008 203 SUBJECT: REVISION DATE SECTION: Missing/Endangered Persons May 15, 2008 Orange I. GENERAL The Fridley Police Department recognizes there is a critical need for immediate and consistent response to reports of missing/endangered children and adults. This policy establishes guidelines and responsibilities for the consistent response and investigation of all reports of missing/endangered children and certain missing adults reported to the Fridley Police Department. II. DEFINITIONS Missing Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 299C.52, Subd. 1 (c), defines missing as “the status of a child after a law enforcement agency that has received a report of a missing child has conducted a preliminary investigation and determined that the child cannot be located.” Endangered According to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 299C.52, Subd. 1, (e), endangered means “a law enforcement official has received sufficient evidence that the child is with a person who presents a threat of immediate physical injury to the child or physical or sexual abuse of a child.” Child According to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 299C.52, Subd. 1, A(a), child means “any person under the age of 18 years or any person certified or known to be mentally incompetent.” Sufficient Evidence Articulable facts and circumstance which would induce a reasonably prudent police or peace officer to believe that a crime has been or is about to be committed. NCIC The National Crime Information Center CJIS The Criminal Justice Information System Mental/Physical Disability A person of any age who is missing and who is under physical/mental disability or is senile, thereby subjecting him/herself or others to personal and immediate danger. Physical Safety Endangered A person of any age who is in the company of another person under circumstances indicating that his/her physical safety is in danger. Involuntary Disappearance A person of any age who is missing under circumstances indicating that the disappearance was not voluntary. Juvenile Runaway A person who is declared unemancipated as defined by the laws of his/her state of residence and does not meet any of the entry criteria set forth in other record types. Catastrophe Victim A person of any age who is missing after a catastrophe. III. PROCEDURE A. MISSING ADULTS If an officer determines that an adult reported missing falls into one of the below categories, a Missing Person report will be written. (Reports of missing adults who do not fit into one of the categories will be investigated on a case to case basis. 1. Mental/Physical Disability 2. Physical Safety Endangered 3. Involuntary Disappearance 4. Catastrophe Victim An NCIC entry will be made following NCIC policy. Per the CJIS manual, version 03/31/97, section 10.2, ‘A record of a missing adult may be entered in the Missing Person File provided the entering agency has signed documentation in its possession supporting the stated conditions under which the person is declared missing. This documentation will aid in the protection of the individual’s right to privacy. The documentation must be from a source such as a parent, legal guardian, next of kin, physician, investigating officer or other authoritative source including friend or neighbor in unusual circumstances.” NCIC policy states “when such documentation is not reasonably attainable, a signed report by the investigating officer will suffice.” Signed documentation is not necessary for a catastrophe victim. B. MISSING JUVENILES When a child (unemancipated adult) has been reported missing, the officer will first determine which, if any, of the following categories the missing child falls into: 1. Mental/Physical Disability 2. Physical Safety Endangered 3. Involuntary Disappearance 4. Catastrophe Victim 5. Runaway Juvenile After determining the proper category, a Missing Person entry will be made following NCIC policy. Per the CJIS manual, version 03/31/97, section 10.2, “A record of a missing child should be immediately entered in the Missing Person File using one of the appropriate categories (Disability, Endangered, Involuntary, Runaway Juvenile, or Catastrophe Victim). A missing person report filed with an agency which has jurisdiction is sufficient documentation for entering a juvenile in the NCIC Missing Person File.” C. MISSING/ENDANGERED CHILDREN The Fridley Police Department has established the following responsibilities and guidelines for investigation of missing and endangered children: D. INITIAL RESPONSE PROCEDURES 1. Dispatch an officer to the scene to conduct a preliminary investigation, 2. Obtain interpretive services if necessary, 3. Interview parent(s)/person who made the initial report, 4. Determine when, where, and by whom the missing child was last seen. 5. Interview the individuals who last had contact with the child. 6. Obtain a detailed description of the missing child/abductor/vehicles/etc. 7. Load the NCIC Missing Person File (involuntary category) with complete descriptive, and critical information regarding the missing and endangered child. 8. Load the NCIC system with complete descriptive information regarding suspect(s). 9. Request investigative and supervisory assistance 10. Update additional responding personnel. 11. Broadcast known details, on all police communication channels, to other patrol units, other Local law enforcement agencies, and surrounding law enforcement agencies and, if necessary, use the National Law Enforcement Tele-communications Systems (NLETS) and the Minnesota Crime Alert Network to alert state, regional, and federal law enforcement agencies. 12. Notify the family of crime victim services available, and give the family the Crime Victim Services card. 13. Seal the crime scene, do not allow individuals to leave the area until interviewed, and note anyone who may have left just prior to the arrival of law enforcement. 14. Activate protocols for working with the media. 15. As required by Minnesota Statute, chapter 299C.53, Subd. 1, contact the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension regarding the incident. Request assistance as necessary. 16. Implement multi-jurisdiction coordination/mutual aid plan as necessary, for example: a. when the primary agency has limited resources, b. when the investigation crosses jurisdictional lines, and c. when jurisdictions have pre-established task forces or investigative teams. E. INITIAL INVESTIGATION 1. Conduct a neighborhood/vehicle canvass. Request Fire Department for assist. 2. Arrange for use of helpful media coverage. Use lead sheets. 3. Maintain records of telephone communications/messages. 4. Ensure that everyone at the scene is identified and interviewed separately. 5. Search the home or building where the incident took place and conduct a search including all surrounding areas. Obtain consent or a search warrant if necessary. 6. Assign an investigator whose duties will include coordination of the investigation. F. INVESTIGATION 1. Notify the on-call command officer and additional help if necessary. Begin setting up the Command Post/Operation Base away from the child’s residence: know the specific responsibilities of the Command Post Supervisor, Media Specialist, Search Coordinator, Investigative Coordinator, Communication Officer, Support Unit Coordinator, and two liaison officers (one at command post, one at victim’s residence). The role of the liaison at the home will include facilitating support and advocacy for the family. 2. Establish the ability to “trap and trace” all incoming calls. Consider setting up a separate telephone line or cellular telephone for agency use. 3. Compile a list of known sex offenders in the region. 4. In cases of infant abduction, investigate claims of home births made in that area. 5. Obtain child protective agency records for reports of abuse on child. 6. Review records for previous incidents related to the missing child and prior police activity in the area including prowlers, indecent exposure, attempted abductions, etc. 7. Obtain the child’s medical and dental records. 8. Update the NCIC missing person file with any additional information regarding the child or suspect as necessary. 9. Interview delivery personnel; employees of gas, water electric, and cable companies; taxi drivers; post office personnel; sanitation workers; etc. 10. Contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) for photo dissemination, and other case assistance. 11. Determine if outside help is necessary and utilize local and state resources related to specialized investigative needs, including: a. Crime Victim Advocates, b. Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, c. Federal Bureau of Investigation, d. County Attorney, e. Customs Investigative Services, f. Minnesota State Patrol, Airport Police, g. Minnesota Crime Alert Network, h. Investigative experts in the areas of sexual assault, child maltreatment, and/or homicide. i. Searches: 1) Ground Searches - personnel, vehicles, and/or mounted patrols, 2) Canine assisted. 3) Water and underwater searches, and 4) Air searches. j. Amber Alert (See Amber Alert Standard Operating Procedures) k. Investigative Resources: 1) Child interviewing, 2) Polygraph, 3) Profiling/behavioral analysis, 4) MN Sex and Violent Crime Analysis Programs, 5) Crime analysis/Computer Assistance 6) Forensic Artistry/Crime Scene and Evidence Processing, and 7) Memory retrieval. l. Interpretive Services, m. The Department of Natural Resources, n. Telephone Services (traps, traces, etc.), and o. Media Assistance (local and national) p. Public and/or private video surveillance systems in the area G. PROLONGED INVESTIGATION 1. Develop a profile on the possible abductor. 2. Consider the use of polygraph for the parents and other key individuals. 3. Re-read all reports and transcripts of interviews, revisit the crime scene, review all photographs and videotapes, re-interview key individuals, and re-examine all physical evidence collected. 4. Review all potential witness/suspect information obtained in the initial investigation and consider background checks on anyone identified in the investigation. 5. Develop time-line and other visual exhibits. 6. Critique results of the on-going investigation with appropriate investigative resources. 7. Arrange for periodic media coverage. 8. Utilize rewards and crime stoppers programs. 9. Update NCIC Missing Person File information as necessary. 10. Re-contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) for age progression assistance. H. RECOVERY/CASE CLOSURE 1. Arrange for a comprehensive physical examination of the victim. 2. Conduct a careful interview of the child, document the results of the interview, and involve all appropriate agencies. 3. Refer family for effective reunification assistance. 4. Cancel alarms and remove case for NCIC and other information systems, and remove posters and other publications from circulation. Also, Cancel the Amber Alert if activated. 5. Perform constructive post-case critique. Re-assess the procedures used and update the department’s policy and procedures as appropriate. I. FOLLOW-UP PROCEDURES FOR ALL MISSING PERSONS: 1. One week after a missing person report is received, the complainant will be contacted to verity the status of the missing person. Information received will be added to the report and appropriate changes made to the NCIC entry. 2. If a person is still listed as missing one month after receiving the initial report, the complainant will be contacted again by phone, letter or in person. If the complainant verifies the missing status is still valid, an investigator will determine whether or not an NCIC Missing Person packet should be initiated. 3. Within 60 days after the original entry, the Fridley Police Department will verify and update the record of a person still listed as missing with medical and dental records, if available. 4. When a missing person has been located, the NCIC entry will be cancelled. J. AMBER ALERT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES 1. After officers determine an abduction has occurred (please refer to the amber plan checklist), they should notify the Communications Center at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BAC) and provide them with a key information. The missing person must be under the age of 17 and in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death. The BCA will confirm the accuracy of the information and issue an Amber Alert via the MN Crime Alert Network (MCAN) and then contact the MN State Duty Officer. The State Duty Officer will activate the alert via the State Emergency Alert System (EAS). 2. As additional information presents itself, including photographs, the agency should contact the BCA and the BCA will disseminate the pertinent information to the participating television and radio stations. 3. BCA will request that stations broadcast the alert at least every 15 minutes for the first two hours and once every half an hour for the next 3 hours. K. RECOVERY OF MISSING PERSON Upon closure of the child abduction case, immediately notify the BCA with pertinent information. L. AMBER PLAN CHECKLIST 1. Is the abduction one in which the victim is 17 years of age or younger? If YES, answer question 2. If NO, answer question 3. 2. Do you believe the child to be in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death? If YES, Activate the Amber Plan and MN Crime Alert Network. If NO, Don not activate the Amber Plan, go to question 3. 3. Please provide the following information to the BCA: a. When/where child was abducted b. Description of child c. Description of the abductor d. Description of vehicle, if involved e. Last known direction of travel f. Is there a reason to believe suspect has a relationship to the victim? g. Number of contact for general information/questions The officer should carefully consider not activating the plan if there is no information to send out. 4. Could the assistance of public, including other law enforcement agencies, businesses and the media assist in locating the individual who does not qualify for the Amber Alert? If YES, activate the MN Crime Alert Network If No, do not activate the MN Crime Alert Network Any non-familial case in which an individual is abducted and the public can assist will trigger the activation of either the Amber Alert and/or the MN Crime Alert Network to educate the public to assist in locating that individual.