Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 01/23/2013 02/01 /2019
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
Call Taker Response to Missing Children (920J / 920C) 1 SS402 CALL TAKER RESPONSE TO MISSING CHILDREN
SS402.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This procedure establishes call taker guidelines for reporting and investigating missing children .
It shall be the policy of this Agency to take immediate and necessary action for all reports of
missing , abducted and sexually exploited children by following the ANSI Standard 1.101.2 -2010 .
Additionally, this Agency holds that every child reported as m issing, abducted or sexually
exploited will be considered “at risk” until significant information to the contrary is confirmed.
Jurisdictional conflicts are to be avoided when a child is reported missing, abducted or sexually
exploited. A missing child report will be taken without delay regardless of jurisdictional concerns.
Questions concerning parental custody occasionally arise in relation to missing child reports. It
shall be the policy of this agency to accept the report of a missing child even i f custody has not
been formally established . Reporting parties shall be encouraged to obtain/produce legal custody
documentation as soon as possible; however, since the safety of the missing child is paramount,
members of this agency will open a case when it may be shown the child has been removed,
without explanation, from his or her usual place of residence.
SS402.1.2 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This section pertains to the following CALEA standards: 41.2.5 , 41.2.6
This procedure pertains to the following General Order(s): 332, 802
SS402.1.3 DEFINITIONS
Missing Person - Any person whose whereabouts are unknown to the reporting party including,
but not limited to, a child taken, detained, concealed, enticed away or retained by a parent in
violation of Penal Code § 277. Missing person also inc ludes any person or child who is missing
voluntarily, involuntarily, or under circumstances not conforming to his/her ordinary habits or
behavior, and who may be in need of assistance.
920C – Missing Child. Any person age twelve and younger falling under the above missing
person description.
920J – Missing Juv enile. Any person between the age of thirteen and seventeen falling under
the above missing person description.
920A – Missing Adult. Any person age eighteen and older falling under the above missing
person description.
*Minor - California considers a minor to be a person under eighteen years of age .
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 01/23/2013 02/01 /2019
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
Call Taker Response to Missing Children (920J / 920C) 2 At-Risk - Includes, but is not limited to, evidence or indications of any of the following:
• The person missing is the victim of a crime or foul play
• The person missing is in need of medical attention
• The person missing has no pattern of running away or disappearing
• The person missing may be the victim of a parental abduction
• The person mi ssing is mentally impaired
SS402.2 PROCEDURE
SS402 .2.1 CALL TAKING : RESPONSE TO MISSING
Nonfamily Abduction involves a child who has been wrongfully taken by a nonfamily perpetrator
through the use of physical force, persuasion, or threat of bodily harm.
Family Abduction occurs when, in violation of a custody order, a decree, or other legitimate
custodial rights, a member of the child’s family or someone acting on behalf of a family member
takes or fails to return a child. This is also referred to as a parental kidnapping and custodial
interference.
The lost, injured, or otherwise missing child is defined as a child who has disappeared under
unknown circumstances. The incident may range from the child wandering away and becoming
lost to the child being abducted, without any witnesses. These circumstances sometimes involve
“foul play,” where those reporting the incident are attempting to cover up a crime involving the
child.
The call taker should obtain the following information :
a) Location of Incid ent;
b) Ascertain exactly what happened;
c) Determine if there are any known/witnessed injuries ;
d) When did this happen? Determine i f incident is still in progress;
e) Where was the child last seen;
f) With whom was the child last seen;
g) Who last saw the child;
h) Any known relationship between child and suspect ;
i) Suspec t leave on foot or in a vehicle;
j) Direction of travel ;
k) Vehicle description :
1) Color ;
2) Year ;
3) Make ;
4) Model ;
5) Body style ;
6) License plate .
l) Description of Child :
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 01/23/2013 02/01 /2019
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
Call Taker Response to Missing Children (920J / 920C) 3 1) Name ;
2) Sex;
3) Race ;
4) Age/DOB ;
5) Primary Language ;
6) Height ;
7) Weight ;
8) Hair;
9) Eyes ;
10) Complexion ;
11) Scars, Marks , physical impairments ;
12) Clothing description ;
13) Any medications/ When