Missing Person InvestigationsMissing Person
Investigations
ORANGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Missing Person Investigations
Penal Code 14213 defines a missing person as:
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 includes any child who is missing voluntarily,
involuntarily or under circumstances not conforming to his or her
ordinary habits or behavior and who may be in need of assistance
Missing Person Investigations
“At-Risk” includes any of the following:
Is the victim of a crime or foul play
Is in need of medical attention
Has no pattern of running away or disappearing
May be the victim of a parental abduction
Is mentally impaired
Missing Person Investigations
Report Acceptance
All personnel shall accept any report, including any telephone report, of
a missing person, including runaways. Reports shall be taken on missing
persons regardless of jurisdiction (Penal Code 14205)
Patrol personnel should handle the initial missing person report. In cases
involving a person at-risk or a child under 16 years, Detectives will
assume the investigation
All cases involving a person at-risk or child under 16 years, the handling
employee shall ensure the watch commander and Detective Bureau
supervisor shall be notified
Missing Person Investigations
Required investigative actions include the following:
Make an assessment of reasonable steps to be taken to locate person
Area search
Cell phone
Social media
Recent photo
Friends/Family
Assistance accounts
AMBER Alerts
If the missing is less than 16 years or there is evidence the person is at-risk, the department shall broadcast over the radio a “be on the lookout” transmission without delay within this jurisdiction
AMBER Alerts
Recruitment of public assistance to locate an abducted child via a
widespread media alert.
Abduction is any child under the age of 18 years who has been
unwillingly removed from their environment without permission from
the child’s legal guardian or legal representative
AMBER Alerts
The following conditions must be met for an AMBER Alert:
An abduction has occurred
The victim is 17 years of age or younger, or has a mental or physical disability
The victim is in imminent danger of serious injury or death
There is information available that if provided to the public could assist in the
child’s safe recovery
The employee receiving the abduction report shall notify the watch
commander as soon as practical if an AMBER Alert is needed
Missing Person Investigations
Reference Chart
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