Policy Text
Procedure
316Garden Grove Police Department
Procedures Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/06/27, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentMissing Persons Procedures - 1Missing Persons Procedures
316.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This procedure will establish guidelines for reporting missing persons, including runaway juveniles.
316.2 REPORTING AND INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES FOR MISSING PERSONS
At the time the Garden Grove Police Department receives information about a missing person, an
investigation will begin immediately. The responsibilities of Department personnel are as follows:
316.2.1 COMMUNICATION RESPONSIBILITIES
Dispatch personnel shall give priority to the handling of missing persons cases, including
runaways, over reports relating to crimes involving property. Special attention should be given to
reports of missing children or for persons with physical or mental limitations. These persons are
at greater risk of harm.
The call taker will enter the call into the dispatch system for an officer to be dispatched or placed in
the telephonic report writing system. The dispatcher will enter the missing adults name, address,
age, physical description, last known location and whether the missing adult is considered “at
risk”. If an officer is to be dispatched to the missing adult it will be done as soon as possible. If an
officer is not going to be dispatched Communications personnel will immediately notify the front
desk or a telephonic report writer that there is a missing adult in the dispatch system. Front desk
personnel or a telephonic report writer will contact the calling party as soon as possible to begin
the investigation.
316.2.2 FRONT DESK RESPONSIBILITIES
If a citizen makes contact at the front desk regarding a missing adult the front desk personnel will
immediately take a police report.
316.2.3 FIRST RESPONDER/REPORT TAKER RESPONSIBILITIES
(a)Officers or other designated personnel should interview, with sensitivity, the reporting
party and any witnesses to determine:
1.That this is a missing person or child abduction case
2.If the person may be at risk – or existence of any suspicious circumstances
3.If there is any potential crime scene area and/or potential witnesses
(b)Obtain all information necessary to complete the Missing Person report form.
(c)Obtain information on personal electronic devices (cell phones, or cell phone numbers
for tracking purposes, computers, and any online resources such as screen names,
email sources, websites they may frequent).
(d)Obtain a list of persons known by the missing person e.g. friends, co-workers,
acquaintances, associates, etc.
Garden Grove Police Department
Procedures Manual
Missing Persons Procedures
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/06/27, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentMissing Persons Procedures - 2(e)If the missing person is “at-risk” the officer or report writer will immediately notify an on-
duty supervisor who will evaluate the situation and initiate a search or other procedures
deemed necessary.
(f)The officer or report writer shall have a “be on the lookout” broadcast issued, without
delay, within the department’s jurisdiction. (Refer to 14205(a) PC). This will require
the officer or report writer to send the “be on the lookout” message via computer to all
MCT’s stating the name and age, physical description, case number assigned, vehicle
description (if any) and the reason for the “at-risk” status, if applicable.
(g)If you have an incident involving more than one victim, whether related or unrelated,
separate reports will be taken and each case is assigned a separate case number.
Relate the case numbers in your narrative.
(h)The Missing Persons brochure shall be handed out to all persons making a report. If
the report is taken over the telephone the brochure is to be sent to the calling party.
Each brochure has a place for the Incident number to be written. Place the DR Incident
number in the designated space and make sure the informant is aware of this number.
(i)It is also essential you obtain photographs of the missing person. All original
photographs shall be attached to the original report and turned into Records.
(j)When the report is completed the report writer must provide the report to Records
personnel so a teletype can be sent to MPS/DOJ.
(k)If an officer locates a reported missing person they must fill out the Missing Persons.
Clearance form and turn it into or notify records without delay.
(l)When dealing with group homes, board and care, convalescent, or any other type of
this facility ask for the following information:
1.Legal Status: Conserved/Unconserved
(a)Need Conservator's name and phone.
2.Emergency Contacts. Family or friends address and phone number.
3.Responsible relative or guardian
4.Doctor/Dental/Psychiatrist names and phone numbers
5.Medical condition and medications needed
6.History. Prior missings, aggressive, dangerous, ambulatory/non-ambulatory
(m)Determine if the missing person fits the mandatory criteria for an AMBER ALERT or
SILVER ALERT and if necessary activate the AMBER ALERT or SILVER ALERT.
316.2.4 FIRST RESPONDER SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
(a)Obtain information from officers on scene.
(b)Determine if additional personnel are needed to assist in the investigation.
(c)Determine if a command post is necessary. If so, establish a command post away
from the child's residence.
Garden Grove Police Department
Procedures Manual
Missing Persons Procedures
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/06/27, All Rights Reserved.
Published with