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Child
Abduction Alert Law Enforcement Criteria
(continued
from the Home Page)
Activation
of the CAAS will be peer reviewed by the organizational group
within days of activation of the system.
The activation
of system will be re-evaluated hourly. In order to extend
the alert past a period of four hours, at least three current
board members of the Tri-State Major Case Squad must approve.
You will find attached a list of the current Tri-State Major
Case Squad board members. Even if the protocol is followed
carefully, there will be some times when a discretionary decision
is to be made by a Law Enforcement agency. The following examples
are designed to help you make those decisions. Remember these
are only examples; the final determination to activate will
be at the discretion of the Law Enforcement Agency.
CAAS
system should be used when:
- A
child is kidnapped off the street by someone other than
a parent
- A
child is kidnapped from their home by someone other than
a parent
- A
child is in a stolen or carjacked car
- A
child is missing and without medication needed to prevent
serious injury or death
- A
child was kidnapped by a parent and the police believe that
the parent will inflict serious injury on the child, or
kill the child
- A
nineteen-year-old girl is kidnapped from a local high school
(This activation would involve checking with
3 current board members of the Tri-State Major case squad).
The
CAAS plan should NOT be used
in the following circumstances:
- Missing
children who are runaways
- Children
reported missing because of custody disputes
- Missing
persons age 18 and older
- Police
Searches for criminals involved in other crimes (bank robbers,
burglars, etc.)
Following
the Law Enforcement Checklist may also help to make the decision
concerning activation:
-
I have confirmed that a child under the age of 18 has been
abducted or that the missing child has a medical condition,
which would endanger the life of the child if they were
not located within a short period.
- I have
ruled out alternative explanations, such as the child is
in their house, at a neighbor’s house, or at school.
- I have
verified that this missing child is not a runaway or the
victim of a child-custody dispute (unless there is a credible
threat of serious injury or death).
- I have
gathered enough information that activation of the CAAS
would be helpful in finding the missing child.
If
thus far, you still feel like an activation of the system
would be appropriate continue to follow the checklist:
-
I have filled out the abduction alert form as completely
as possible and faxed it to the Joplin Police Department
at (417) 623-9918
- I
have called Joplin Police Dispatch at (417) 623-3131 ext.
464 to confirm receipt of the fax.
- I
have obtained a recent picture of the child have posted
it on the Joplin Globe web site or transported it to Joplin
Police Department to post it.
- I
have a plan for providing the media current information
via the CAA system and direct contact with the media.
- I
have determined if it is appropriate to activate the state
system in my state (see enclosed form for Missouri).
- I
have cancelled the activation because the child was found,
or the effectiveness of the activation is lost (see criteria
for length of activation).
Remember
that we want this to be a significant tool for law enforcement.
We want to maintain good relationships with the media and
keep the public informed. Overusing the system will not accomplish
those goals. Use the system wisely. The final determination
to activate the system is up to you.
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