doc_2666901

WINDERMERE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for handling and investigating missing persons. 2. Policy It shall be the policy of the Windermere Police Department to investigate all reports of missing children thoroughly . This Agency holds that every child reported as missing will be considered at risk until significant information to the contrary is confir med. 3. Definitions A. Amber Alert – America’s Missing Broadcast Emergency Response Plan. The Florida Amber Plan / Florida Emergency Missing Child Alert (Amber Alert) was established by the FDLE in conjunction with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the Florida Assoc iation of Broadcasters, Inc. (FAB, Inc.) to use the Emergency Alert System to broadcast critical information of a missing / abducted child believed to be endangered, promptly , to the general public via radio and television to assist in the search for and s afe return of a child. B. BOLO – Be on the Look Out. C. DCF – Florida Department of Children and Families. Effective Date: October 14, 202 5  Rescinds  Amends 6.16 (October 11, 2022) Number: 6.16 SUBJECT : Missing Persons Print Date: 10/14/25 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: October 6.16, Page 2 D. FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation. E. FCIC/NCIC – Florida Crime Information Ce nter/National Crime Information Center. F. FDLE – Florida Department of L aw Enforcement. G. FDOT – Florida Department of Transportation. H. FHP – Florida Highway Patrol I. Missing Adult – A person 18 years of age or older whose temporary or permanent residence is in or is believed to be in the State of Florida, whose l ocation has not been determined, and who has been reported as missing to a law enforcement agency. J. Missing Child – A person who is younger than 18 years of age whose temporary or permanent residence is in, or is believed to be in, the State of Florida, wh ose location has not been determined, and who has been reported as missing, regardless of the reason, to a law enforcement agency. This includes runaways. K. Missing Endangered Person – 1. A missing child; 2. A missing adult younger than 26 years of age; 3. A missing adult 26 years of age or older whom a law enforcement agency suspects of being endangered or the victim of criminal activity; or, 4. A missing adult who meets the criteria for activating the Silv er Alert Plan of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. L. Missing Endangered Person Report – A report prepared on a form prescribed by FDLE ruled for use by the public and law enforcement agencies in reporting information to the Missing Endangered Pers ons Information Clearinghouse about a missing endangered person. M. NCMEC – National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. N. Parental Abduction – Circumstances involving a family member’s abduction; including a divorced or separated parent’s failure to return the child to the child’s 6.16, Page 3 guardian or taking the child without the knowledge or permission of the child’s guardian or any violation contrary to a valid and current court order. O. Runaway Juvenile – A juvenile who has run away of his / her own volition without the consent of the parent(s) or guardian(s). P. Unusual Circumstances – If the member determines or suspects that unusual circumstances exist during the preliminary investigation , the member will cause all appropriate resources to be activated. These circumstances include but are not limited to the following : 1. The missing youth/adult is mentally incapacitated. 2. The missing youth/adult is drug dependent (prescribed or illegal medication). 3. The missing youth/adult is a potential victim of foul play or sexual exploitation . 4. There is reason to believe that the missing youth is s ubjected to a “dangerous environment .” This is a relative term that depends on the age and development of the child. 5. The absence is a significant deviation from established behavior patterns and cannot be explained. 4. Procedures A. Criteria for Taking a Report 1. A missing person’s incident report, teletype entry form , and a narrative will be taken if the subject is considered a “Missing Adult ,” “Missing Child ,” or a “Missing Endangered Person.” If a known crime is involved, the appropriate paperwork shall be completed. 2. This Agency shall assume jurisdiction over investigations in instances when the last know location of the missing child is within the Town of Windermere, regardless of the child’s place of residen ce. [15.12M -(A)] 3. In instances where a missing child is a resident of the Town of Windermere, and the last know location of the child is outside the Town of Windermere’s jurisdiction, the procedure shall be as follows: 6.16, Page 4 a. Upon determining the incident did not occur within this Agency’s jurisdiction, Communications , in consultation with the on -duty supervisor, shall determine which agency has jurisdiction. b. Upon determining the proper jurisdiction, Communications shall ob