Policy Text
Revisions or additions are highlighted 1 (06/23/2025 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
INSTRUCTIONAL ORDER
Subject: MISSING PERSONS , RUNAWAY S, and BLUE ALERT S
Index as:
A Child Is Missing (ACIM)
Abduction, Family/Non -family
Amber Alert
Blue Alert
DCF
Department of Children and Families (DCF)
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
Florida Fusion Center (FFC)
High-Risk Missing Person
Intelligence Watch and Warning (IWW) IWW
Lost Children
Missing Adult
Missing Child
Missing Endangered Persons
Missing Persons and Runaways
Person With Information (PW I)
Purple Alerts
Runaways
Silver Alert
Accreditation Standards: 41.2.4, 41.2.5, 41.2.6 , 81.2.4 , CFA 15.12 , 15.20
Cross Reference: G.O. III -06, Juvenile Procedures
I.O. V5 -05 Comm Procedures_ MDT, Radio, Cellular Telephone
ECD SOP VI -01, High Risk Situations
ECD SOP VI -02 Alert Procedures
Chapter 937 , Florida Statues
Suzanne’s Law, Section 3701 (a) of the Crime Control Act of 1990
Replaces : I.O. V.5:24, Missing Persons and Runaways ( March 10, 2023 )
This Order establishes procedures for the investigation , reporting of adult missing persons, missing children , and runaways ,
as well as the criteria and procedures for the issuance of Amber Alerts, Silver Alerts and Blue Alerts . It consists of the
following sections:
I. Purpose
II. Policy
III. Definitions
IV. Missing Endangered Person
V. Missing Adult
VI. Missing Child
VII. Runaway s
VIII. Additional Required Notifications
IX. Actions To Be Taken Upon Locating A Missing Person
X. Blue Alert
I. PURPOSE
The Directive establish es responsibilities and guidelines to ensure reports of runaways and missing persons are given
full consideration and attention by all members of the Department. This includes the careful recording and investigation
of factual circumstances surrounding the voluntary or involuntary disappearance of those individuals, as well as
ensuring the proper training, dispatch, response, and follow up concerning those investigation.
DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
March 2023 Immediately V.5:24
Distribution: All Employees
Instructional Order V.5:24
Revisions or additions are highlighted 2 (06/23/2025 ) II. POLICY
A. It is the policy of the St. Petersburg Police Department that all reports of missing persons, whether adults or children,
are given full attention including careful investigation and recording of the factual circumstances surrounding the
person’s disappeara nce.
B. Particular care will be exercised when the disappearance involves those who are young, aged, mentally , physically
disabled , or those insufficiently capable of caring for themselves.
C. There is no waiting period for reporting a missing person, either child or adult. Requirements for reporting a missing
child or runaway child are mandated by the National Child Search Act of 1990 and Title 42 USC Sections 5779 and
5780 and section 937.021, Florida Statues .
D. An incident report for all missing person and runaway investigations will be prepared as described below.
E. Investigative Jurisdiction
1. Pursuant to section 937.021 (3), Florida Statutes :
a. The agency having jurisdiction over the investigatio n is the one where the missing person was last seen.
b. However, if the absence of a person appears to be involuntary (the result of criminal activity), the agency
having jurisdiction where such crime occurred must be the investigating agency.
2. The responsibl e investigating agency will make any required follow -up and FCIC/NCIC entry or issue any other
required notification or alert.
3. Any dispute over investigative jurisdiction will be brought to the attention of a supervisor as soon as possible. If
the issue i s not satisfactorily resolved, the report will be received and promptly written, and the Watch
Commander so notified.
F. A court order is not required for a child to be reported missing by a representative of the Department of Children
and Families (DCF) or a community -based care provider (§ 937.021) .
G. The Department will, within, but no later than the times indicated, request the family or next of kin to provide: (§
937.031, Florida Statues)
1. Written consent to obtain dental records after a person has been missing for thirty (30) days; and
2. After a person has been missing ninety (90) days, request a biologic al specimen for DNA analysis .
3. The Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC) will be notified that dental and DNA records have been obtained so
required notification can be provided to FCIC/NCIC.
H. In the event that an officer has been seriously injured, killed by a subject(s), or becomes missing while in the line of
duty under circumstances causing concern for the officer’s safety, the Department w ill activate a Blue Alert.
III. DEFINITIONS
A. Amber Alert – An emergency response system that disseminates information about a missing person, usually a
child, by media broadcasting or electronic roadway signs.
B. Blue Alert – A request for assistance from the public following:
1. The serious injury or death of a l aw enforcement officer in the line of duty, or
2. An officer who is missing in connection with the