(Published Saturday, August 4, 2007 10:11:24 PM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
GENERAL ORDER
JANESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: MISSING PERSONS
NUMBER: 16.3
ISSUED: 3/18/05
SCOPE: All Police Personnel
EFFECTIVE: 12/24/99
DISTRIBUTION: General Orders Manual
RESCINDS
AMENDS: 16.3, 9/21/01
REFERENCE: WILEAG STANDARDS: 41.2.6
INDEX AS: Investigation Procedures for Missing Persons
Juvenile Runaways
Missing Persons
Runaways
PURPOSE: The purpose of this Order is to establish responsibilities and guidelines for the investigation of missing persons incidents.
This Order consists of the following numbered sections:
I. POLICY
II. REPORTING/CLASSIFICATION OF MISSING PERSONS
III. INITIAL REPORT TAKING
IV. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
V. RECOVERY OF MISSING PERSON AND CASE CLOSURE
VI. MISSING/RUNAWAY JUVENILES
I. POLICY
A. Many missing person reports involve individuals who have voluntarily left home for personal reasons, while other reports are often unfounded or quickly resolved. However, there are many instances in which persons disappear for unexplained reasons and under circumstances where they may be considered at risk. The role of the initial responding officer is critical in identifying the circumstances surrounding missing persons and those persons at risk. Therefore it is the policy of the Janesville Police Department that:
1. All reports of missing persons be given full attention by members of this agency to include careful recording and investigation of factual circumstances surrounding the disappearance in accordance with this Order, and
2. That particular care be exercised in instances involving missing children and those who may be mentally or physically impaired or others who are insufficiently prepared to take care of themselves.
II. REPORTING/CLASSIFICATION OF MISSING PERSONS
A. There is no waiting period for reporting a missing person. Missing person reports shall be taken in-person.
B. A person may be considered "missing" when that person cannot be located by people familiar with them and is believed to be missing. In addition, the unexplained absence is for a period of time considered unusual or suspicious, and the absence does not fit known behavior patterns, plans, or routines.
C. An individual may be considered "missing-endangered" who meets the criteria in paragraph B above, and who, among other possible circumstances,
1. May be the subject of foul play;
2. Because of age (young or old), may be unable to properly safeguard or care for himself/herself;
3. Suffers from diminished mental capacity or medical conditions that are potentially life threatening if left untreated/unattended;
4. Is a patient of a mental institution and is considered potentially dangerous to himself/herself or others;
5. Has demonstrated the potential for suicide; or
6. May have been involved in a boating, swimming or other sporting accident or natural disaster.
D. Based on the outcome of initial inquiries, a decision will be made concerning the potential danger posed to the missing person and the scope and urgency of police response.
III. INITIAL REPORT TAKING
A. The initial report taker must gather as much pertinent information as possible in order to properly classify a missing person report and initiate proper police response. This includes the following information:
1. Name, age and physical description of the subject and relationship of the reporting party to the missing person.
2. Time and place of last known location and the identity of anyone accompanying the subject.
3. The extent of any search for the subject.
4. Whether the subject has been missing on prior occasions and the degree to which the absence departs from established behavior patterns, habits or plans.
5. Whether the individual has been involved recently in domestic incidents; suffered emotional trauma or life crises; demonstrated unusual, uncharacteristic or bizarre behavior; is dependent on drugs or alcohol or has a history of mental illness.
6. The current physical condition of the subject and whether the person is currently on prescription medication.
B. If the missing person is a child, inquiry should also determine if the child
1. May be with any adult who could cause him/her harm;
2. May have been the subject of a stranger abduction;
3. May have been the subject of a parental abduction;
4. Has previously run away from home, has threatened to do so or has a history of explainable or unexplainable absences for extended periods of time.
C. The shift supervisor shall be notified immediately upon classification of a report as "missing-endangered."
IV. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
A. The preliminary investigation is intended to gather additional information and to take those steps that will aid in the search for and location of a missing person. This includes gathering the following types of information:
1. Complete description of the subject and a recent photograph.
2. Details of any physical or emotional problems identified in the Initial Report Taking section of this Order.
3. Identity of the last person(s) to have seen the subject as well as friends, relatives, coworkers or associates who were or may have been in contact with the subject prior to disappearance.
4. Plans, habits, routines and personal interest of the subject including places frequented or locations of particular personal significance.
5. Indications of missing personal belongings, particularly money and other valuables.
6. Any suggestions of foul play or accident.
B. In the case of missing children, officers shall thoroughly investigate and report information that may suggest parental abduction or the possibility of stranger abduction, as well as:
1. The presence of behavioral problems;
2. Past instances of running away;
3. Signs of an abusive home environment or a dysfunctional family situation;
4. Whether the child is believed to be with adults who may pose a danger; and
5. The name and location of the school attended by the child and any persons who may be responsible for private transportation to and from the location.
C. When appropriate, officers should gain permission to search a missing child's home, school locker and personal computer.
D. After the completion of the "Missing Person Confirmation" form, it is the responsibility of the reporting officer to notify the records section to have the missing person immediately entered into the teletype system (N.C.I.C./C.I.B.). The information should also be provided to the Rock County 911 Center. The following are the categories to be used in the N.C.I.C./C.I.B. system:
1. Disability: A person of any age who is missing and under proven physical/mental disability or is senile, thereby subjecting himself/herself or others to personal and immediate danger.
2. Endangered: A person of any age who is missing and in the company of another person under circumstances indicating that his/her physical safety is in danger.
3. Involuntary: A person of any age who is missing under circumstances indicating that the disappearance was not voluntary.
4. Juvenile Runaway: A person who is missing and declared unemancipated as defined by the laws of his/her state of residence and does not meet any of the entry criteria set forth in 1,2, or 3 above. In Wisconsin, this is a person who is a juvenile (under 18 years of age).
5. Disaster/Catastrophe Victim: A person of any age who is missing after a natural disaster or catastrophe.
6. Other: A person who is over the age of 18 not meeting the criteria in any other category and for whom there is a reasonable concern for his/her safety.
E. Missing juvenile information should be transmitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and put on the runaway clipboard.
F. In the case of persons missing or endangered, the shift supervisor:
1. Will direct that dispatch broadcast to all persons on duty all information necessary to identify the missing person, and
2. May authorize mobilization of resources necessary for an area search, and
3. May authorize an Amber Alert for a missing juvenile if the criteria are met as set forth in the Amber Alert Guidelines Standard Operating Procedure.
G. In the event that a parent or guardian is a suspect in a missing child incident, or proper consent is not obtained from a parent or guardian, officers should consider obtaining physical evidence by use of exigent circumstances or search warrant.
V. ONGOING INVESTIGATION
A. Ongoing investigations of missing persons should include but should not be limited to the following actions and activities:
1. An investigator/officer will be assigned as liaison to the parents or other family members.
2. Request release of dental records and any fingerprints available.
3. Contact hospitals and the coroner's office as appropriate for injured or deceased persons fitting the description of the missing person.
4. Thoroughly check the location at which the missing person was last seen and conduct interviews with persons who were with the individual or who may work in or frequent the area.
5. The parents of a child will be interviewed and if determined necessary requested to submit to a polygraph examination as soon as possible in the investigation.
6. Conduct interviews with any additional family, friends, work associates, schoolmates, and teachers as well as school counselors and social case workers, as appropriate, to explore the potential for foul play, voluntary flight, or, in the case of juveniles, parental kidnapping or running away.
7. Provide identification and related information to all divisions of the department.
8. Decisions to use local media to help locate missing persons shall be made with the approval of the Chief of Police and the missing person's family.
9. The lead investigator shall maintain routine on-going contact with the missing person's closest relative concerning progress of the investigation. These and other relevant individuals shall be informed that they must notify the lead investigator as soon as any contact is made with the missing person.
VI. RECOVERY OF MISSING PERSONS AND CASE CLOSURE
A. Competent adults, having left home for personal reasons, cannot be forced to return home. Officers locating such individuals shall:
1. Advise them that they are the subject of a missing person investigation;
2. Ask if they desire the reporting party or next-of-kin to be notified of their whereabouts; and
3. Make provisions to transmit this information to the reporting party or next-of-kin if permitted by the missing person.
B. In all cases, reporting parties shall be informed of the well-being of the located missing person. Unless criminal matters necessitate other action, desires of missing persons not to reveal their whereabouts shall be honored.
C. Missing persons shall be questioned to establish the circumstances surrounding their disappearance and whether criminal activity was involved.
D. In cases involving juveniles, officers shall ensure that:
1. The juvenile receives medical attention if necessary in a timely manner;
2. Initial questioning of the juvenile identifies the circumstances surrounding the juvenile's disappearance, any individuals who may be criminally responsible and/or whether an abusive or negligent home environment was a contributing factor; and
3. Parents, guardians and/or the person reporting the missing juvenile are notified in a timely manner.
E. Upon location of a missing person, all agencies and information systems previously contacted for assistance shall be notified or updated.
F. Where indicated, follow-up action shall include filing of an abuse and neglect report with Human Services within 12 hours.
G. The case report shall include a complete report on the whereabouts, actions and activities of juveniles while missing.
H. Where indicated, criminal charges shall be filed.
VII. MISSING/RUNAWAY JUVENILES
A. It is the policy of the Janesville Police Department to promptly investigate all reports of missing juveniles in an effort to locate and safely return them to their homes.
B. The reporting officer will make personal contact with, and interview the reporting person. The reporting officer shall ensure that a complete and accurate report is left. When available, a current photograph of the juvenile should be obtained.
C. Runaway reports will be assigned to the Investigation Division for follow-up investigation. The case shall remain open until the runaway has been located.
D. When the missing/runaway juvenile has returned or is returned home, the assigned officer shall make a supplement report as to the whereabouts of the juvenile while away and interview the juvenile as to why he/she was a missing person/runaway. The following should be part of the interview and documentation:
1. Why did the juvenile leave?
2. Where did the juvenile go?
3. How did the juvenile survive, and where did they stay?
4. Who helped the juvenile during his/her absence?
5. Will the juvenile leave again?
E. If the juvenile has been gone overnight, a juvenile court referral shall be completed for runaway.
F. The juvenile's name shall be withdrawn from the teletype system by records personnel.
G. If the parent or guardian does not or will not take a juvenile back into the home for any reason, the juvenile intake worker will be contacted for other arrangements.
Neil Mahan
Chief of Police
This Order cancels and supersedes any and all previous Orders and directives relative to the subject matter contained herein.
