Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 01/24/2011 07/01/201 8
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
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334 - Public Alerts 1
POLICY 334 PUBLIC ALERTS
334.1 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.
334.1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This section pertains t o the following CALEA Standards: 41.2.5 , 41.2.6
This section pertains to the following Standard Operating Procedures: N/A
334.2 POLICY
Public alerts may be employed using the Emergency Alert System (EAS), local radio, television
and press organizat ions 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 situation and the alert system’s in dividual
criteria.
334.3 RESPONSIBILITIES
334.3.1 EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILTIES
Employees of the Tustin Police Department should notify their supervisor, Watch Commander or
General Investigations Supervisor as soon as practicable upon learning of a si tuation 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.
334.3.2 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
A supervisor apprised of the need for a public alert is responsible to make the appropriate
notifications based upon the circumstances of each situation. The supervisor shall promptly notify
the Chief of Police, the appropriate Division Commander and the PIO when any public ale rt is
generated.
The supervisor in charge of the investigation to which the alert relates is responsible for the
following:
a) Updating alerts ;
b) Canceling alerts ;
c) Ensuring all ap propriate reports are completed;
d) Preparing an after -action evaluation of the investigation to be forwarded to the Area
Commander .
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 01/24/2011 07/01/201 8
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
_____________
334 - Public Alerts 2
334.4 AMBER ALERTS
The AMBER Alert™ Program is a voluntary partnership between law enforcement agencies,
broadcasters, transportation agencies and the wireless industry, to activate urgent bulletin s in
child abduction cases.
334.4.1 CRITERIA FOR AMBER ALERT
The following conditions must be met before activating an AMBER Alert (Government Code
8594(a)):
a) Abduction has be en determined to have occurred;
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.
334.4.2 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:
a. The child’s identity, age and description ;
b. Photograph if available;
c. The suspect’s i dentity, age and description, if known ;
d. Pertinent vehicle description ;
e. Detail regarding location of incident, direction of travel, potential destinations, if
known ;
f. Name and telephone number of the Press Information Officer or other authorized
individua l to handle media liaison ;
g. 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 policies 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 regardin g the missing person should be entered into the California Law
Enforcement Te lecommunication System (CLETS);
e) Information regarding the missing person should be entered into the California
Department of Justice Missing and Unidentified Persons System (MUPS) /National C rime
Information Center (NCIC);
f) The following resources should be considered as circumstances dictate:
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 01/24/2011 07/01/201 8
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
_____________
334 - Public Alerts 3
1) The local FBI office ;
2) National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) .
334.5 BLUE ALERTS
Blue Alerts may be issued when an officer is killed, injured or assaulted and the suspect may
pose a threat to the public or other law enforcement personnel.
334.5.1 CRITERIA FOR BLUE ALERTS
All of the following conditions must be met before activating a Blue Alert (Government Code §
8594.5):
a) A law enforcement officer has been killed, suffered serious bodily injury or has been
assaulted with a deadly weapon, and the suspect ha s fled the scene of the offense;
b) The investigating law enforcement agency has determined that the suspect poses an
imminent threat to the public or other law enforcement p ersonnel;
c) A detailed description of the suspect’s vehicle or license p late is available for broadcast;
d)