Policy Text
Policy
325Fremont Police Department
Child Abduction/Kidnapping Protocol
325.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the initial response to, and subsequent
investigation of, a child abduction.
In the event of a stranger child abduction (or when the abductor is known and the child's safety is
in imminent danger), a complete and thorough investigation will be conducted, without delay, to
recover the abducted child, identify and apprehend the suspected offender(s), and recover related
evidence.
325.2 COMMUNICATIONS UNIT RESPONSIBILITIES
(a)Dispatch initial response officers. Notify the Watch Commander or responsible
supervisor. Immediately broadcast available information including descriptions of:
1.Victim
2.Suspect
3.Vehicle
4.Direction of flight
(b)Invoke Synchronized Neighboring Agencies Response to Emergencies (SNARE), if
applicable.
(c)Notify surrounding agencies of the incident, via telephone and electronic media.
325.3 INITIAL RESPONDER RESPONSIBILITIES
(a)Conduct a thorough search of child's residence and immediate surrounding area
(b)Begin an investigative log (a chronological list of investigative steps taken)
(c)Locate and secure crime scene(s)
(d)Establish a temporary Command Post
1.Do not establish a Command Post at the residence, even if the initial reporting
party is a parent or caretaker reporting the child missing from the residence.
2.The temporary Command Post should be established in the proximity of the
scene of a viewed (witnessed) abduction in order to maintain control of the crime
scene.
(a)Upon arrival of additional units, define the crime scene perimeter and
secure it
(b)Move the temporary Command Post away from the crime scene
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(e)Identify and isolate witnesses
(f)Interview the reporting party (digitally record interview)
(g)Conduct preliminary interviews of witnesses who observed the abduction (digitally
record interviews)
(h)Develop information regarding the victim
(a)A complete description of the victim and clothing worn at the time of the
abduction
(b)Any known medical conditions or unusual unique characteristics
(i)Identify the caretaker(s) of the victim, and if different from the parents, identify the
parents of the victim
(j)Secure victim's residence and treat as additional crime scene for elimination/
comparative evidence purposes
(k)Obtain photo of victim
(a)The most recent photograph of the victim is best
(l)Apprise the on-scene supervisor of the preliminary investigation
(m)Ensure that all 9-1-1 and related phone call recordings are pulled and duplicated by
a Communications Supervisor
325.4 FIELD SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
(a)Assign an officer to maintain the investigative log
(b)Debrief the first responder
(c)Coordinate Command Post placement
(d)Assign personnel to secure the crime scene
(e)Assign personnel to begin a preliminary concentric neighborhood investigation
1.Record all vehicles within a several block area of the crime scene
2.Assign officers to contact residences and business establishments to identify
witnesses and visitors (present and recently departed) and any temporary
members of the community (workmen, mail carriers, etc.)
3.Conduct a preliminary search of appropriate locations
(f)Assign officers to the victim's residence
(g)Notify the parents and/or caretaker
(h)Establish control of the residence and secure it, pending evidence recovery
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Child Abduction/Kidnapping Protocol
(i)Ensure National Crime Information Center (NCIC) entry is made
(j)Consider vehicle inspection points dependent on time that has transpired since the
abduction and available information
(k)Brief the responding investigative supervisor
325.5 WATCH COMMANDER RESPONSIBILITIES
(a)Maintain contact with the first responder
(b)Ensure that a uniformed supervisor is dispatched to the scene
(c)Assign personnel to research court orders regarding custody of child and/or temporary
custody status if the marriage of the child's parents is in dissolution
(d)Notify and dispatch an investigative supervisor
(e)Notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), once an abduction case is adequately
verified
(f)Confirm with surrounding jurisdictions that they are aware of the abduction
(g)Notify and update command personnel in accordance with Policy Manual § 358
(h)Implement AMBER Alert™ in accordance with Policy Manual § 334
325.6 INVESTIGATIVE SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
(a)Receive a briefing from the uniformed supervisor and take control of the investigation
(b)Designate lead investigator(s)
(c)Assign an investigator(s) to begin the development of a complete victim profile
(victimology)
(d)Assign an investigative team to interview witnesses and associates to develop a victim
profile
(e)Assign Crime Scene Investigator(s) (CSI) or available personnel to the crime scene
for processing
1.If required or desired, contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and
request an Evidence Response Team to assist
2.Recover forensic and psychological data regarding the victim
3.Observe any evidence that would indicate involvement by occupants of the
victim's residence
(f)Confirm appropriate broadcast information and other notifiers have been transmitted
and received by all law enforcement agencies in the area
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