Policy Text
CONCORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
ALERT SYSTEMS
GENERAL ORDER: 08.10 CREATED: May 6 , 2025 ISSUE DATE: May 6, 2025
CALEA STANDARD: EFFECTIVE DATE: May 6 , 2025
ACTION: Creates a general order.
08.10.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this general order is to provide guidelines for alerting the public to
important information and soliciting public aid when appropriate.
08.10.1 POLICY
Public alerts may be employed using the Emergency Alert System (EAS), local radio ,
television, and press organizations and other groups to notify the public of incidents
or enlist the aid of the public when the exchange of information may enhance the
safety of the community. Various types of alerts may be available based upon each
situation and the alert system’s individual criteria .
08.10.2 DEFINITIONS
A. ABDUCTED CHILD
An individual age 17 years or younger who has been unwillingly confined,
restrained or moved from one place to another or taken without consent from
the individual’s legal guardian or designated legal representative.
B. ASHANTI ALERT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
Provides a statewide system for the rapid dissemination of information
regarding a missing person between the ages of 18 and 64. This evidence -
based alert is for a person missing under circumstances that indicate physical
safety may be endangered , or the disappearance may not be voluntary,
including an evidence -based abduction or kidnapping.
C. BLUE ALERT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
Provide s a statewide system for the rapid dissemination of information
regarding a violent criminal who has seriously injured or killed a local, state,
or federal law enforcement officer or poses an imminent and credible threat to
law enforcement .
General Order 08.10 ALERT SYSTEMS Page 2 of 6
D. AMBER ALERT SYSTEM NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
A voluntary cooperative effort among North Carolina radio and television
broadcasters, local and state law enforcement, the Department of
Transportation (DOT) and the N orth Carolina Center for Missing Persons
(NCCMP) . The goal is to use local radio and TV stations, electronic highway
signs and lottery terminals to immediately notify citizens of a criminally
abducted child in their area.
E. NORTH CAROLINA CENTER FOR MISSING PERSONS (NCCMP)
Serves as the clearinghouse for information regarding missing chi ldren and
adults. (1-800-522-5437) ( https://nccmp.ncdps.gov )
F. MISSING ENDANGERED SYSTEM
A program designed to provide a statewide system for the rapid dissemination
of information regarding a missing person or m issing child who is believed to
be suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or cognitive impairment that,
in the light of the person’s or child’s missing status, requires the person or
child to be protected from potential abuse or other physical harm, neglect, or
exploitation (NCGS 143B -1022).
G. SERIOUS BODILY INJURY
Bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death, or that causes serious
permanent disfigurement, coma, a permanent or protracted condition that
causes extreme pain, or permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the
function of any bodily member or organ, or that results in prolonged
hospitaliza tion. ( NCGS 14 -32.4(a) )
08.10.3 ASHANTI ALERT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
A. CRITERIA FOR ACTIVATION
All the following criteria must be met for an Ashanti Alert to be activated:
1. An adult between the ages of 18 and 64 has been identified as a missing
individual and,
2. Missing under circumstances that indicate that the physical safety of the
missing adult may be endangered or
3. That the disappearance of the missing adult may not have been voluntary,
including abduction or kidnapping.
B. PROCEDURES
1. Investigate the case following guidelines set forth in General Order 08.07
Missing Person and determine whether the case meets the qualifying criteria
for an Ashanti Alert.
2. Enter the information into the National Criminal Information Center (NCIC)
system.
General Order 08.10 ALERT SYSTEMS Page 3 of 6
3. Initiate a statewide “be on the lookout” (BOLO) bulletin to all appropriate
law enforcement agencies.
4. The supervisor shall contact NCCMP for authorization to request an Ashanti
Alert.
5. Once authorization is given, the supervisor shall go to the NCCMP website
and submit an online request for an Ashanti Alert. Once received , the alert
will be denied or approved by the NCCMP via the email provided .
6. All updates and changes shall be made through the NCCMP website.
7. Once the missing person has been located, the requesting law enforcement
agency shall complete a cancellation through the NCCMP website.
Cancellation through the website will notify the media, National Center for
Missing Exploited C hildren (NCMEC) and DOT of the cancellation.
8. The supervisor shall notify the ir chain of command, including the Chief of
Police, and draft a media release.
08.10. 4 BLUE ALERT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
A. CRITERIA FOR ACTIVATION ( NCGS 143b -1023)
All the following criteria must be met for a Blue Alert to be activated:
1. A law enforcement officer