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Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/12/30, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Public Alerts - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Public Alerts 318.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for alerting the public to important information and soliciting public aid when appropriate. 318.2 POLICY Public alerts may be employed using the Emergency Alert System (EAS), SM Alert, social media, local rad io, television and press organizations and other groups to notify the public of incidents, or enlist the aid of the public, when the exchange of information may enhance the safety of the community. Various types of alerts may be available based upon each s ituation and the alert system's individual criteria. When appropriate, the investigating officer will contact the California Highway Patrol - Emergency Notification and Tactical Alert Center (ENTAC) at (916) 843-4199 to initiate any public alert listed in this policy. 318.3 RESPONSIBILITIES 318.3.1 MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES Members of the Santa Monica Police Department should notify their supervisor, Watch Commander, or Criminal Investigations Division Supervisor as soon as practicable upon learning of a situati on where public notification, a warning, or enlisting the help of the media and public could assist in locating a missing person, apprehending a dangerous person, or gathering information. 318.3.2 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES A supervisor apprised of the need for a public alert is responsible to make the appropriate notifications based upon the circumstanc es of each situation. The supervisor shall promptly notify the Chief of Police, the appropriate Division Commander and the Press Information Officer when any public alert is generated. The supervisor in charge of the investigation to which the alert relate s is responsible for the following: (a) Updating alerts (b) Canceling alerts (c) Ensuring all appropriate reports are completed (d) Preparing an after-action evaluation of the investigation to be forwarded to the Division Commander Policy 318 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Public Alerts Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/12/30, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Public Alerts - 2 318.4 AMBER ALERTS The AMBER Alert™ Program is a voluntary partnership between law enforcement agencies, broadcasters, transportation agencies and the wireless industry, to activate urgent bulletins in child abduction cases. 318.4.1 CRITERIA FOR AMBER ALERT The following conditions must be met before activating an AMBER Alert (Government Code § 8594(a)): (a) A child has been abducted or taken by anyone, including but not limited to a custodial parent or guardian. (b) The victim is 17 years of age or younger, or has a proven mental or physical disability. (c) The victim is in imminent danger of serious injury or death. (d) There is information available that, if provided to the public, could assist in the child’s safe recovery. 318.4.2 PROCEDURE FOR AMBER ALERT The supervisor in charge will ensure the following: (a) An initial press release is prepared that includes all available information that might aid in locating the child: 1. The child's identity, age and description 2. Photograph if available 3. The suspect's identity, age and description, if known 4. Pertinent vehicle description 5. Detail regarding location of incident, direction of travel, potential destinations, if known 6. Name and telephone number of the Press Information Officer or other authorized individual to handle media liaison 7. A telephone number for the public to call with leads or information (b) The local California Highway Patrol communications center should be contacted to initiate a multi -regional or statewide EAS broadcast, following any poli cies and procedures developed by CHP (Government Code § 8594) (c) The press release information is forwarded to the Sheriff's Department Emergency Communications Bureau so that general broadcasts can be made to local law enforcement agencies. (d) Information regarding the missing person should be entered into the California Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (CLETS). (e) Information regarding the missing person should be entered into the California Department of Justice Missing and Unidentified Persons System (MUPS)/National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Public Alerts Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/12/30, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Public Alerts - 3 (f) The following resources should be considered as circumstances dictate: 1. The local FBI office 2. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) 318.5 BLUE ALERTS Blue Alerts may be issued when a sworn officer is killed, injured or assaulted and the suspect may pose a threat to the public or other law enforcement personnel. 318.5.1 CRITERIA FOR BLUE ALERTS All of the