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• This order establishes guidelines for investigating reports of missing persons.
• The agency investigates any incident involving a missing child, an involuntary disappearance, or endangered/disabled missing adults.

Definitions:

• Alzheimer’s Disease: A type of dementia affecting memory, thinking, and behavior.
• Amber Alert: Broadcasts critical information about child abduction cases to the general public via radio, television, message signs, lottery machines, and the FDLE website.
• BOLO: "Be on the Look-Out."
• Brain Injury: Injury from a blow or trauma to the head causing significant brain damage.
• Child Abduction Response Team (CART): Multi-agency unit of local, state, federal law enforcement, government agencies, and businesses to recover children.
• Dementia: Irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties.
• Developmental Disability: A disorder/syndrome attributable to intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, autism, spina bifida, Down syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, or Prader-Willi syndrome.
• The aforementioned disabilities must manifest before age 18 and cause substantial, indefinite handicap per FSS 393.063(11).
• Enhanced Missing Child Alert: Third-level activation of the Amber Alert System for children believed to be in imminent danger of death/serious bodily injury, without apparent abduction signs or meeting all Amber Alert criteria, it allows immediate distribution to media.
• Intellectual Disability: Significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning concurrent with deficits in adaptive behavior before age 18, expected to continue indefinitely.

1. Adaptive Behavior: Individual's effectiveness in meeting personal independence/social responsibility standards.
2. Significantly Subaverage General Intellectual Functioning: Performance of two or more standard deviations from the mean score on a standardized intelligence test by agency rules.

• Jennifer Kesse and Tiffany Sessions Missing Persons Act: Florida law mandates law enforcement to accept reports of missing adults (25 or younger, whereabouts unknown), and transmit for inclusion within FCIC/NCIC as soon as minimum criteria are met.
• Missing Adult(s): A person 18+ whose temporary/permanent residence is in the state, location undetermined, reported missing to law enforcement.
• Missing Child: A person under 18 whose temporary/permanent residence is in the state, location undetermined, reported missing to law enforcement.
• Missing Child Alert: Second-level activation of the Amber Alert System for children believed to be in danger of death/serious bodily injury, without apparent abduction signs or meeting all Amber Alert criteria, it allows immediate distribution to media.
• Missing Disabled Person: A missing person of any age with physical/mental disability subjecting them/others to immediate danger.
• Missing Endangered Person: A missing child, adult under 26, or adult 26 or older suspected by law enforcement of being endangered/victim of criminal activity, or meeting criteria for Silver Alert Plan activation.
• Missing Involuntary Person: A person of any age missing under circumstances suggesting disappearance against their will (e.g., abduction/kidnapping).
• Other Missing Person: A person who does not meet the criteria for entry in other missing-person categories, but for whom there is a reasonable concern for their safety.
• Project Lifesaver: A program aiding family members monitor qualified persons with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or developmental disabilities who wander.
• Purple Alert (State/Local): Plan to locate missing adults with mental/cognitive disability (excluding Alzheimer's/dementia-related, or substance abuse), posing credible threat of immediate danger/bodily harm, engaging public in the search.
• A State Purple Alert requires the missing person to be driving or a passenger in a motor vehicle with identifiable license plate or other vehicle information.
• A Local Purple Alert can be initiated when the missing person is on foot or in an unidentified vehicle.
• Silver Alert: Aids local law enforcement in rescuing cognitively impaired individuals lost while traveling by motor vehicle with an identified license plate or other vehicle information, via broadcasting on FDOT road signs.

Procedure

• Members must respond to all missing person reports, sworn members must respond to all calls of missing children (regardless of age), cases of suspected endangered/disabled persons or those directed by a Supervisor.
• Any person knowing about a missing involuntary, endangered, or disabled person may file a report.
• There is no waiting period for investigation/documentation of runaway/missing child incidents, in conformance with FSS 937.021.

Preliminary Investigations:

• The responsible member investigates the disappearance and assesses conditions/circumstances.
• Supervisors must be told if circumstances lead the member to believe the missing person is in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm.
• Concerns include a threatened life, suicide attempts, domestic violence/child abuse, physical/mental conditions, inability to care for themselves, sudden/unexplained disappearance, evidence of struggle/violence, ransom demands, or belief that they're being held against their will.

Missing Involuntary, Endangered, or Disabled Persons:

• Sworn Member Responsibilities: Determine if the missing person qualifies as missing involuntary, endangered, or disabled, act accordingly.
• Determine the last location of the missing person as per FSS 937.021(3); if the report is credible, follow FSS 937.021(4)(b).
• FSS 937.021(3): A report that a child or adult is missing must be accepted and filed with the law enforcement agency in the county or municipality where the child or adult was last seen. The filing and acceptance of the report imposes the duties specified in this section upon the law enforcement agency receiving the report. This subsection does not preclude a law enforcement agency from accepting a missing child or missing adult report when agency jurisdiction cannot be determined.
• FSS 937.021(4)(b): Upon the filing of a credible police report that an adult is missing, the law enforcement agency receiving the report shall, within two (2) hours after receipt of the report, transmit the report for inclusion within the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC), the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) databases.
• Contact the Crimes Against Persons Sergeant if the responsible agency refuses to take a report.
• Determine if the missing person is a Project Lifesaver Client; follow Policy 467.0, Project Lifesaver, 4(H), Search and Recovery Efforts.
• Obtain/document consent or legal authorization to search the last known location and/or residence.
• Conduct a thorough search of the last known location/residence once lawfully authorized; contact the agency's Domestic Service/Victim's Advocate if there is a history of domestic violence, to ensure the missing person is not in a shelter.
• Secure items of evidence at the scene and/or the missing person’s home, which could be altered/destroyed during or after the initial search, including articles which may provide the missing person's DNA, fingerprints, footprints, and/or dental impressions.
• Locate a scent article for the Canine Handler to collect if requested, following Policy 406.0 Patrol Operations and Policy 407.0 Canine Utilization.
• The Sector Supervisor must be informed of the circumstances of the incident.
• Initiate an incident report if the person was last seen in unincorporated Osceola County, including name, race, gender, birth date, physical/clothing descriptions, vehicles, location last seen, disappearance circumstances, description of anyone accompanying, employment/school, prescribed medications, and any physical/mental disability; however, if jurisdiction cannot be determined, initiate the report if the missing person is a current Osceola County resident.
• Document destination, vehicle description, trackable devices, and carried property like cash, credit cards, and cellular phones.
• Conduct a thorough search of the house/property for missing juveniles, even if checked by the reporting party; document additional information: previous missing reports, recovery location, names/addresses/phone numbers of friends/associates, Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) involvement/caseworker information, probation status/officer information.
• Contact the Communications Section in less than 2 hours, to enter the missing person's data and any vehicle information, into the FCIC/NCIC systems.
• The sworn member informs the communication officer if entering data per the Jennifer Kesse and Tiffany Sessions Missing Persons Act, to ensure proper notation in the FCIC/NCIC remarks field.
• Document the Communications Operator's employee identification number in the incident report.
• Initiate a missing person BOLO for agency members, other law enforcement agencies in the county, and to agencies of possible travel destinations.
• Obtain a current photograph (if possible) and upload it into the files tab of Spillman in the correct name number and/or incident number.
• Determine if the situation needs an Amber Alert, Missing Child Alert, Enhanced Missing Child Alert, Silver Alert, or Purple Alert.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

• Respond to the scene if the disappearance is believed to be involuntary, the missing person is a child twelve (12) years of age or younger, there is a substantial risk to the missing person's life if he/she is not located, or as otherwise deemed necessary.
• At the discretion of the Platoon Lieutenant, a Supervisor may not need to respond to a missing person twelve (12) years of age or younger who is known to be a habitual runaway and there is credible evidence to believe the child's s disappearance does not pose an imminent danger to the child's safety.
• Supervisors ensure responding sworn members' tasks have been completed.
• Choose the appropriate search method based on the circumstances.
• Determine if additional members are needed based on the circumstances (e.g., CID, Canine Unit, Aviation support, etc.).
• Determine if the Incident Command System needs to be instituted.
• If applicable as outlined in Policy 451.0, Criminal Investigations, notify the appropriate CID Unit, or the or the appropriate on-call Detective Sergeant after normal business hours.
• Determine the need to request assistance from the following, through the chain of command to the CID Bureau Major or designee: FDLE's Child Abduction Response Team (CART), Reverse 911, “A Child is Missing, Inc.”, the FBI, Civilian volunteers, and authorization to request issuance of an Amber, Missing Child, Enhanced Missing Child, Silver, or Purple Alert.
• Notify the Platoon Lieutenant.
• Notify the on-call victim's advocate, if appropriate.

Platoon Lieutenant Responsibilities:

• Notify the Division Captain for only these types of incidents listed above.
• Respond to the scene of an Advanced Response or Major Search Response per Policy 451.0, Criminal Investigations, and serve as the Incident Commander until properly relieved.

Other Missing Persons:

• For persons not qualifying as Missing Involuntary, Endangered, or Disabled, or under the Jennifer Kesse/Tiffany Sessions Missing Persons Act, members may enter them into FCIC/NCIC as "Other" if the circumstances establish a reasonable safety concern.
• Safety concerns are based on facts showing unknown whereabouts for a time deemed unusual/suspicious, considering behavior, plans, or routines; this includes not returning from work/school/errands, unusual lack of contact, or unexplained absence with personal belongings left behind.
• If the person doesn't meet FCIC/NCIC "Other" criteria, members attempt to locate/contact them and issue an Attempt to Contact/Locate/Check Well-Being BOLO and complete an incident report if unsuccessful.
• If it is determined the person should be entered into FCIC/NCIC as missing "Other" the member must attempt to locate them, initiate an incident report with details, document travel destination/trackable devices/property, and contact the Communications Section to initiate a BOLO. Missing Adults who do not qualify as one of the above-listed categories may be entered, with a current photo if available.

Responding Detective's Duties:

• Detectives at the scene must conduct in-depth interviews with parents/witnesses, neighborhood checks, communicate with Patrol members, ensure accurate communication, prepare/share flyers, assist in searches, and contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
• They also communicate with the Missing Endangered Person Information Clearinghouse (MEPIC), and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).
• After the person is located, return/release evidence if unneeded, verify FCIC/NCIC entries are cleared, and document the Communications operator’s number and location found.

Activation of Amber, Enhanced Missing Child, Missing Child or Silver Alert:

1. Amber Alert Criteria:
   • The child must be under 18.
   • Law enforcement needs a well-founded belief, based on an active investigation that a kidnapping has occurred
   • Law enforcement needs a well-founded belief, based on an active investigation that child is in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury.
   • Description of child/abductor/vehicle, photograph, are broadcast to the public.
   • Activation requires recommendation by local law enforcement.
2. Enhanced Missing Child Alert Criteria:
   • The child must be under 18, there must be well-founded belief the child is in imminent danger of death/serious bodily injury, a detailed picture/photograph must be available, and the local law enforcement has to have recommended activation.
3. Missing Child Alert Criteria:
   • The person must be under the age of 18.
   • Law enforcement has to possess a well-founded belief, based on an active investigation, that the child is in danger of death or bodily injury.

• Descriptive information or photograph of the child must be available. the local law enforcement agency of jurisdiction must recommend activation.

4. Silver Alert Criteria:
   • The missing person must be sixty (60) years of age or older with irreversible deterioration of faculties (i.e., Dementia), local law enforcement must have already activated a local/regional alert, the disappearance must pose a credible threat, there must be a vehicle description/tag, the missing person must be entered into FCIC, and a statewide BOLO has to be issued.
   • Under extraordinary circumstances, a Silver Alert may be issued for a person aged eighteen (18) to fifty-nine (59) who has an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties if they lack the capacity to consent and using dynamic message signs could rescue them.
   • For a State Silver Alert, the missing person must be driving/a passenger in a vehicle with identifiable information, in addition to the above; otherwise, law enforcement may initiate a Local Silver Alert.
5. Purple Alert Criteria:
   • The missing person must be 18 or older and not qualify for a state/local Silver Alert; they must have Intellectual/Developmental Disability, Brain Injury, or physical/mental/emotional disability unrelated to substance abuse without Alzheimer's/dementia; the disappearance must pose immediate danger, and they can only be returned safely through intervention; there must be a detailed description for distribution, they must be entered into FCIC, and the local agency must recommend activation.

• For State Purple Alert, the missing person must be driving or a passenger in a motor vehicle with an identifiable license plate or other vehicle information. If the missing person is on foot or in an unidentified vehicle, a Local Purple Alert may be given.

Alert Activation Procedures:

• Determine if the alert criteria have been met.
• Enter the missing person into FCIC/NCIC.
• Notify media through the Public and Media Relations Director or designee.
• Initiate a BOLO to other enforcement/911 centers.
• Contact the FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse (MEPIC) to review and coordinate.

Follow-Up Investigations:

• Investigations are assigned to the Crimes Against Persons Unit and shall request written consent from family for dental records/samples if the person isn't found within 30 days, store dental records with original report per FSS 937.031 and FDLE regulations; upon receipt, detectives request the Crimes Against Persons Unit Sergeant enters records into FCIC/NCIC for comparison to deceased, remaining in FCIC/NCIC if unavailable.
• Conduct documented reviews every 30 days and contact family every 30 days or less; if the person is not found within 90 days, attempt to obtain a biological specimen for DNA analysis, and update FCIC/NCIC.

Missing Person Located:

• Members verifying a missing person must do so either in person or via law enforcement/government (e.g., DCF)
• If face-to-face verification is impossible, a Supervisor approved alternate method may be used if supported by other evidence for person’s health, welfare, or recovery (e.g., social media interaction, physical interaction with social circle, etc.).
• Acceptable alternate methods include video chats or verifiable telephone discussions supported by witnesses.
• Submit Teletype Request Form to cancel FCIC/NCIC entries and BOLOs, document the location, and, unless the person objects and it is an adult or emancipated minor, record that location. If an emancipated minor is involved, consider keeping location confidential only after reviewing documentation and receiving supervisory approval. Lastly, complete applicable incident/supplemental reports and contact MEPIC to advise if they had been previously contacted.