Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
1
4.11 Missing Persons Investigations
4.11.3 Abducted Juveniles: Amber Alert System (Revised: 12/1/12)
The purpose of this directive is to provide guidelines for responding to a child abduction and
subsequent activation of the Amber Alert System. The Amber Alert System is a cooperative
program between law enforcement agencies and local area radio, televisio n stations and the
California Department of Transportation to broadcast and disseminate information about an
abducted child using the Emergency Broadcast System. The CHP coordinates the release of all
information from police agencies to the public, relativ e to Amber Alerts. If a police agency
believes they have a situation where a regional or statewide broadcast would be appropriate, the
agency may contact the 24 -hour CHP Communications Center (707 -551-4100). An on -duty
dispatcher will put the agency in con tact with the CHP Emergency Notification Tactical unit in
Sacramento where the facts of the case will be reviewed and a determination will be made
whether to issue an Amber Alert. In order to meet the CHP criteria for an Amber Alert all of the
following mu st apply:
A. Responding Officer
When dispatched on a child abduction call, the officer will:
1. Respond to the call and determine if enough information exists to issue an Amber
Alert. The following four criteria must apply:
a. An abduction has occurred.
b. The abduction involves the taking of a child who is 17 years or younger or
a dependent person who has a proven physical or mental disability.
c. The child/person is in danger of serious bodily harm or death.
d. There is adequate descriptive in formation available to believe that its
dissemination to the public could help locate the child/person, suspect or
suspect vehicle.
2. If the abduction meets the criteria for activation of the Amber Alert, the officer
will:
a. Complete the Amber Alert chec klist
b. Contact the on -duty supervisor for Amber Alert activation
c. Complete the Amber Alert message form
d. Submit original forms for report attachments.
B. Responding Supervisor
Once contacted by the on -scene officer, the responding supervisor will:
1. Determine whether or not the incident fits the criteria for Amber Alert activation
2. Contact the Investigations Sergeant for assistance
3. Provide a copy of the Amber Alert message form to the C. Radio broadcast of
information shall be requested for lo cal patrol units and SFPD Dispatch.
4. Notify SFPD Operations Center of Amber Alert Activation. Fax Amber Alert
Message to SFPD Operations Center.
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
2
5. Notify the PIO that an Amber Alert has been issued.
C. Follow -up investigation will be conducted by the I nvestigations Unit.