Policy Text
CONCORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
MISSING PERSONS
GENERAL ORDER: 08.07 CREATED: December 1, 2000 ISSUE DATE: May 6, 2025
CALEA STANDARD: 41.2.4, 41.2.5, 41.2.6 EFFECTIVE DATE: May 6, 2025
ACTION: Amends general order dated October 1 , 2022.
08.07.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this general order is to establish guidelines for the investigation and
handling of reported missing persons.
08.07.1 POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Concord Police Department to respond to and thoroughly
investigate all reports of missing or unidentified children and adults.
08.07.2 DEFINITIONS
A. CRITICAL MISSING PERSON
To be classified as a critical missing person, an individual that has been reported
missing must meet AMBER Alert, Ashanti Alert or Missing Endangered Alert criteria
or, at least one of the following criteria:
1. The individual has a physical, mental, or c ognitive disability (Dementia or
Alzheimer’s), drug dependency or other at -risk issues, which subjects them or
others to danger.
2. There is reasonable suspicion to believe the disappearance of the individual is
not voluntary and/or the person is the victim of a crime.
3. The individual has a medical condition that requires life -saving medication or
procedures, and it is believed the individual does not have access to those
necessities.
4. The individual is missing after a disaster, but not confirmed to be dead (e.g.,
drowning, explosion).
5. The individual is 13 years or younger , regardless of the circumstances.
6. The individual is under the age of 18 and has their own minor child in their
custody.
7. An individual believed to be in the presence of someone who could endanger
their welfare .
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B. TEMPORARY CUSTODY (JUVENILE)
The taking of physical custody and providing personal care and supervision until a
court order for secure or nonsecure custody can be obtained.
C. MISSING JUVENILE
A juvenile as defined by NCGS 7B-101(14) whose location has not been determined,
who has been reported missing to a law enforcement agency by a parent, guardian
or legal custodian.
D. MISSING PERSON
Any individual who is 18 years of age or older, whose location has not been
determined, and who has been reported missing to a law enforcement agency.
E. NATIONAL MISSING AND UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS SYSTEM (NamUs)
A national resource center for missing, un identified and unclaimed persons.
F. RUNAWAY JUVENILE
An individual, age 17 years or younger, who has voluntarily left the custody of their
parent, guardian, or legal custodian without permission.
08.07.3 MISSING PERSON PROCEDURES
A. An incident report shall be taken as soon as an individual is confirmed missing by an
officer.
B. Once the individual has been confirmed missing, the officer shall gather as much
pertinent information as possible to accurately classify the individual and initiate
the appropriate response. This should include, but is not limited to, the following
inform ation:
1. Physical Description:
a. Name, date of birth, race, sex, ethnicity, height, weight, build, hair and eye
color;
b. Facial hair, glasses, teeth, scars, marks, tattoos, piercings, amputation or
other physical characteristics;
c. Description of clothing such as head cover, shirt, pants, outerwear,
footwear, jewelry.
2. Reporting Factors:
a. Location last seen, last seen with, date and time last seen;
b. Name of the reporting person and their relationship to the missing individual;
c. If the individual has previously been reported missing and where they were
previously located;
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d. If the individual has been missing in the past but was not reported;
e. Possible reasons for disappearance such as an argument, fight or unknown;
f. The extent that the reporting party, or others, have searched for the
individual ;
g. Description of the vehicle(s) involved ; (moved from Amber Alert section)
h. Last known direction of travel and/or possible destination;
i. Description of the suspect(s);
j. A recent photograph of the missing person .
3. The extent to which the individual has departed from established behavior
patterns, habits, plans, any recent traumatic events or domestic violence
incidents.
4. Associates:
a. Natural parents, foster parents, other family members;
b. Friends and associates;
c. Spouse, significant other, ex -spouse or other relationships.
5. Related History:
a. School attending or location of workplace;
b. Criminal warrant check and known criminal history;
c. Probation/Parole status and name of probation officer, if applicable;
d. Driver’s license and vehicle information;
e. Medical or mental health history or diagnosis, the current need for
prescription drugs or medical care, and any drug or alcohol use.
6. Background Information:
a. Mobile phone number;
b. Location of individual’s home computer/laptop;
c. Credit/debit card banking information;
d. Is it typical