Policy Text
OFFICE OF CHIEF OF POLICE
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: All Personnel DATE: 8 Sep 11
SUBJECT: New Department al General Order O-6.1, CALIFORNIA CHILD
SAFETY (AMBER) NETWORK
The purpose of this new order is to set fo rth Departmental polic y and procedures to
activate the California Ch ild Safety AMBER Network. Additionally, this order
establishes what alert systems are part of the Network, what assistance they provide,
how the systems are utilized, and a checklist to provide o fficers, supervisors, and
investigators with a guide for the investigation of missing-child cases. The provisions of Special Orde r 7069 have been incorporated into this order and is
hereby canceled. The Evaluation Coordinator for this order shall be the Youth and Family Services
Division Commander, who, wit hout further notice, shall fo rward the required report
to the Chief of Police on or by 6 Mar 12.
The Evaluation Coordinator shall receive, review and document the acceptance or
rejection of all comments and/or recommendations received prior to submitting his/her six-month evaluation report. The Evaluation Coordinator shall forward a copy of the six-month evaluation report,
along with the comments/recommendations r eceived, to the Rese arch and Planning
Division, Policy and Publication Development Unit to be maintained in the
appropriate Departmental Ge neral Order archive folder.
Personnel shall acknowledge rece ipt, review, and understanding of this directive in
accordance with the provisions of DGO A-1, DEPARTMENTAL PUBLICATIONS.
By order of
Anthony W. Batts Chief of Police Date Signed: _______ _______________
DEPARTMENTAL
GENERAL ORDER O-6.1 Index as:
California Child Safety
AMBER Network Effective Date:
8 Sep 11
Evaluation Coordinator:
Family Services Section 1 Commander
Evaluation Due Date:
6 Mar 12
Automatic Revision Cycle:
3 Years
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CALIFORNIA CHILD SAFETY (AMBER) NETWORK
The purpose of this order is to set forth Departmental policy and procedures regarding
the activation of the California Child Safe ty AMBER Network (AMBER is an acronym
for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emerge ncy Response). Additionally, this order
establishes the available alert systems of the Network, what assistance they provide, and
how the systems are utilized. The California Child Safety AMBER Network (hereafter referred to as the “AMBER
Network”) was established to provide a far-reaching and rapid response to instances of
child abduction in California. The network will incorporate the use of any or all existing alert systems and a comprehe nsive prevention campaign.
I. CRITERIA FOR ACTIVATION OF THE AMBER NETWORK
A. In the event of a child abduction, wh ich meets the criteria for activating
the AMBER Network, Department al personnel shall conduct the
preliminary investigation, search operations, and notifications in
accordance with the provisions of establishe d policies and procedures.
Personnel shall also, when appropriate, utilize those sy stems within the
AMBER Network which will assist in the investigation and the recovery
of the child.
B. An AMBER Alert requires the authori zation of the on-scene supervisor
ONLY when the following statutory criteria for child abduction has been
met:
1. A confirmed abduction. Evidence exis ts to believe the victim is
missing against his/her will and not simply missing (e.g.,
eyewitness verification, physical ev idence, alternative explanations
for a child’s absence ha s been eliminated);
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER O-6.1 Effective Date:
8 Sep 11 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
2. The victim is 17 years old or younger or an individual with a
proven mental or phys ical disability;
3. Circumstances surrounding the abduc tion indicate the victim is in
imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death; and
4. There is available info rmation that, if disseminated to the general
public, could assist law enforcemen t in the safe recovery of the
victim. (Vehicle information is not a requirement to activate an
AMBER Alert).
C. In the event an AMBER Al ert has been authorized, personnel shall contact
the Communications Section who shall notify the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to determine the pro cedures for activating the Emergency
Alert System (EAS) for an AMBER Alert.
II. REQUESTING AN AMBER ALERT In the event of an incide nt meeting the criteria for requesting an AMBER Alert,
the primary officer shall, upon approval by the on-scene superv isor, contact the
YFSD Intake Officer (or the Communica tions Section in the event the YFSD
Intake Officer is unavailable) to requ est CHP be notified. The YFSD Intake
Officer (or Communications Dispatcher) sh all provide the CHP with all available
information in order to determine whethe r an AMBER Alert activation is to be
authorized. The CHP has th e final authority to activate an AMBER Alert.
An AMBER Alert includes the following systems: A. Emergency Alert System (EAS);
B. Emergency Digital Informa tion Services (EDIS); and
C. Changeable Message Signs (CMS).
III. NOTIFICATIONS
A. The primary YFSD Investigator shal l prepare and send a Criminal Case
Information (CCI) distribution notif ication to designated command staff
regarding the AMBER Alert.
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