54622048.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER TITLE ACCREDITATION Missing Persons 41.2.5.a.b.c.d.e.f.g and 41.2.6.a.b.c.d.e.f PROPONENT UNIT PRIOR REVISIONS Criminal Investigations Division 11/25/02; 03/13/03; 12/05/08; 12/27/10, 02/17/20, 06/09/22 ATTACHMENT: Missing Persons Rescinds: 40.5 Addendum- Missing Persons Checklist Checklist NUMBER ISSUE DATE REVISION DATE TOTAL PAGES 40.5 07/01/1998 07/19/2023 34 I. PURPOSE: This Order establishes policy and procedures for reporting and investigating missing persons. II. POLICY: Because of the difficulty in determining the degree of danger to a person based on the initial facts reported and because of the Department’s duty to protect potential victims, Department members shall thoroughly investigate all missing person complaints III. DEFINITIONS: A. Missing Person: A person whose location cannot be determined and whose disappearance indicates that he/she may be in danger and/or the victim of a crime. B. Vulnerable Groups: Certain people, such as children, the elderly and the mentally or physically challenged are, by virtue of their age and/or condition, considered vulnerable, and therefore in danger any time they are missing, and certainly more so if they are potentially a victim of a crime. [CALEA 41.2.6.a] C. Complainants: The complainant can be anyone in a position to provide knowledge as to why he/she believes the alleged missing person is missing and/or in danger. 1. For a missing juvenile, the complainant can be the parent or guardian; in the case of a juvenile who has been placed at a facility, a person of authority at the facility 2. For a missing adult, the complainant can be a family member, friend, caretaker, neighbor, or roommate, although this list is not meant to be limiting or exhaustive. IV. PROCEDURE: A. Extent of Investigation: The Department considers all missing person cases important; however, the particular circumstances of each case should dictate the extent of the investigative actions to be taken. Department members unsure about the amount of activity to devote to a case should consult a supervisor. [CALEA 41.2.6.b]\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER 1.Missing person cases involving known or suspected criminal acts, vulnerable adults (elderly with reduced mental capacity, or disabled adults) or juveniles-usually under 13 years old shall receive immediate and full attention by the Department member(s) assigned to investigate the case.[CALEA 41.2.5.g] Field units shall be dispatched regarding these cases. 2.Missing adults and juvenile runaways, whether reported by an agency (e.g., Interface) or a parent/ guardian, and where the disappearance appears voluntary, and no foul play is suspected, shall receive due attention. [CALEA 41.2.6.a] i. If a child is at least 13 years old, or an adult is missing, a report may be taken over the phone from a legitimate complainant only if: a. The juvenile has a history of running away, or b.The juvenile voluntarily left a facility such as Interface or the Job Corps; c.There is no evidence or information to indicate that foul play or suspicious circumstances are involved; d. A phone report is acceptable to the complainant. ii. A reasonably current digital photo must accompany the report if available. This may be an existing digital photo, or a hard copy scanned in to digital format. These photographs may be obtained via means such as a portable digital memory device, email or text message, and should be attached to the associated incident report in RMS. B. Members' Responsibilities When Foul Play Suspected / Known or Imminent Peril Exists: For all involuntary missing persons cases, especially young children, time is a critical factor in obtaining the safe retrieval of the person. Members will initiate the proper response, immediately notify a supervisor and ensure timely notification of resource agencies when: [CALEA 41.2.6.e] 1. Conducting a missing persons investigation in which foul play is suspected or known, or 2\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER 2.When the missing person is in imminent peril, such as when small children or adults who are not self-sufficient are believed to have wandered off. 3.Unless the program is child-specific, many of the resources listed in Section G, "Missing Children Alert, Notification and Support Resources" can provide assistance with a missing adult. For example: A Child is Missing, Inc. 1-888-875-2246, provides a phone messaging system. Besides children, this organization, having no set criteria other than that decided by the investigating law enforcement agency, serves missing adults who are disabled and/or elderly [like those disoriented by Alzheimer's]. [CALEA 41.2.6.d] C. Investigative Activity: After a complaint of a missing person has been received, the Department member(s) investigating the incident shall proceed as follows: [CALEA 41.2.5 f] [CALEA 41.2.6.f] 1. Verify jurisdiction based on where person was last seen. 2. Interview the complainant. 3. Obtain preliminary information to establish the type of incident or crime to include: [CALEA 41.2.5.a] i. The circumstances under which the person is believed to be missing (signs or information about a struggle/altercation, vehicle abandoned, person depressed, unsupervised child/ non self- sufficient elderly, etc.); ii. The last known date and time seen; iii. The last known location (determine zip code for automated phone messaging purposes); iv. The last known person to see the victim (whether or not this occurred at the location of incident); v. Who the person was with, if known or applicable; vi. Possible alternate locations or destinations, if known; vii. Any known mental, medical, physical or other pertinent condition(s); viii. Whether the person has been missing before; ix. Whether the person's background (e.g., substance abuse, mental condition) could have contributed to the disappearance. 3\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER 4. Obtain the description(s) of the victim, and, when provided, any suspect, and vehicle; to include the following: (CALEA 41.2.5.a, d] i.A full physical description of the victim(s) and suspect(s), to include race, gender, nationality, date of birth, age, height, weight, clothing, hair and eye color, hair length/style, glasses, facial hair, scars, marks, piercings, tattoos, and other physical identifiers. ii.Recent digital photograph [color preferable] of victims and suspects (when known) should be obtained as soon as possible for distribution and entry into F/NCIC, NamUs. [CALEA 41.2.5.c] Include in your report the date the picture was taken, location in the image, and the names of any known associates in the photo (if applicable). iii.Full descriptions of any vehicles in which a suspect may have been seen or in which the victim may be. Include the year, make, model, exact color, and any special or identifying features (sunroof, custom wheels, no windows in van, rusted fenders, primer on left quarter panel, tow hitch, etc.) For children on scooters, bicycles, etc., include a full description of the item, if not recovered at the scene. 5. Decide if the circumstances/ evidence best supports treatment of the case as a runaway, custodial taking, or predatory abduction. [CALEA 41.2.6.a] Unless there is clear evidence to the contrary, cases involving prepubescent children who are not clearly runaways should be treated as predatory abductions. [CALEA 41.2.6.a] 6. Obtain the name, address, and phone number of each parent or guardian AND assigned case worker (when applicable) of missing/ runaway juveniles. 7. As applicable, obtain names, addresses, telephone/contact numbers of associates, friends, relatives, school, dentists, doctors, etc. 8.Contact the: (CALEA 41.2.6.f] i. Investigations Bureau for detective and forensic support. ii. PIO for media support. 4\n\n--- Page 5 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER 9. Secur