Policy Text
Communications Page 1 of 2 4/06.0 (REV 10/93)
MISSING PERSONS
The purpose of this order outlin es the policies and procedures for Communications
personnel to comply with Penal Code Sections 14200 through 1421 3.
I. General
Penal Code Section 14205 (missing persons reports) states, in p art, “All local
police and sheriff’s departments shall acc ept any report, including any telephonic
reports, of a missing person, includi ng runaways, without delay and shall give
priority to the handling of these reports over the handling of reports relating to
crimes involving property .”
II. Communications Center Responsibilities
A. Communications personnel wil l not refer reporting parties to any other
agency to make their missing pers on reports, except when transf erring the
reporting party to another agency will expedite the reporting o r
investigatory process.
B. Communications personnel rec eiving information of a missing person,
regardless of jurisdiction, will take a missing person report o ver the
telephone unless the missing person is “at risk” (see Section I II for at risk
definition) in which case a patrol unit will be dispatched to t ake the report.
C. In those cases where it is im possible to dispatch a patrol u nit to take an at
risk missing person report; i.e., r eporting person is calling f rom out-of-
state, Communication s personnel shall:
1. Take the report over the phone. 2. Ensure that a “BOLO” is m ade and noted within the report.
3. Ensure that Records has the in formation to complete the NCIC and
DOJ notifications within four hours.
4. Check with the Cor oner and note who was c ontacted in the rep ort.
Communications Page 2 of 2 4/06.0 (REV 10/93)
5. Inform the Communications w atch supervisor or designee to
determine if a patrol unit shoul d be dispatched for any immedia te
investigation or search
6. Stamp “ Expedite ” on the report.
D. Communications personnel wil l not suggest to any reporting p erson that
there is a certain amount of ti me to wait befor e making a repor t.
III. At Risk
A. At risk includes, but is not limited to, circumstances where evidence or
indications exist that the missing person:
1. Is a child under 12 years of age
2. Is the victim of a crime or foul play 3. Is in need of medical attention 4. Has no pattern of running away or disappearing 5. Is the victim of a parental abduction/kidnapping
6. Is mentally impaired
IV. Vehicle Associated with Missing Persons
A. If there is a vehicle associ ated with the missing person, a Missing Person
Vehicle report will be taken and it will be entered into the st olen vehicle
system.
V. Located Missing Persons
A. Upon receiving information t hat a missing person has been lo cated during
normal business days and hours, Co mmunications personnel will r efer the
reporting person to the Missing Pe rsons Bureau to complete the clear-up
report.
B. If information is received during other than normal business days and
hours, Communications personnel w ill complete the clear-up repo rt and, if
applicable, complete a recover ed vehicle report, cancel the BOL O, and
advise the Detective Divisi on and/or Patrol Services.
C. Also see Communications Operations Order 4/05.0.