Procedures for Handling Critical Missing Adults PDF

CHIEF OF DETECTIVES NOTICE 1.8 January 14, 2014 TO: All Concerned Personnel FROM: Chief of Detectives SUBJECT: PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING CRITICAL MISSING ADULTS This Notice is to remind all Department personnel of the established procedures when handling an Adult Critical Missing investigation...

CHIEF OF DETECTIVES NOTICE 1.8 January 14, 2014 TO: All Concerned Personnel FROM: Chief of Detectives SUBJECT: PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING CRITICAL MISSING ADULTS This Notice is to remind all Department personnel of the established procedures when handling an Adult Critical Missing investigation. The attached checklist clarifies the requirements needed to classify a Missing Person (M/P) as a critical missing and the questions that should be asked of the reporting party (P/R). In addition the checklist provides additional strategies that can be utilized when handling a critical M/P investigation. These guidelines are intended to supplement existing Department investigative protocols. If you have any questions, please contact Detective Cleo Guevara, Officer-in-Charge, Missing Persons Unit, Detective Support and Vice Division, at (213) 996-1801. APPROVED: ANESE, Deputy Chief \ hief of Dete tives Attachment DISTRIBUTION "B" STEPHEN R. JACOBS, Deputy Chief Chief of Staff Office of the Chief of Police CRITICAL MISSING PERSON CHECKLIST J A CRITICAL MISSING IS SOMEONE WHO: • • • • Is suicidal; Has Alzheimer's, Dementia, or any medical problem that requires immediate medical attention; Is elderly and cannot care for themselves; or, Disappeared under unusual circumstances where it is out of character for the person to be missing (i.e. missed work, missed appointment, never missing before, etc.). THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ASKED FOR ALL ADULT CRITICAL MISSING PERSONS INVESTIGATIONS: V How old is the missing person (MP)? i V Note: Juveniles are handled by the Area detectives. Does the MP have any medical issues that require medical attention? (i.e. Alzheimer's, Dementia, Diabetic, etc.) V Is the MP suicidal? What are the indications? V Does the MP have any mental health issues? Related medications? Under doctor's care? V Does the MP have a cell phone? Note: If the critical missing has a cell phone, and a crime is believed to have occurred contact Major Crimes Division (MCD) and request that they ping the phone. Divisional personnel will coordinate resources and complete the necessary Court Order with the assistance of MCD. V Does the missing person have credit cards? Note: Most banks will assist with credit card usage/activity by the critical missing person if contacted during business hours. V What is the status of the missing person's vehicle? Note: Involved vehicles should be placed into NECS as soon as possible. ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER, AS APPROPRIATE, WHEN CONDUCTING A CRITICAL MP INVESTIGATION: > Contact Air Support Division and request an aerial search. > Contact Metropolitan Division and request a Bloodhound to conduct a search. > Conduct hourly checks. > Contact Medical Alert Center, 1-866-940-4401. This is a hospital emergency room inquiry. > Advise the P/R to immediately contact the Department at the appropriate numbers in the event of any developments or additional information. Note: Contact Missing Persons Unit, DSVD, during normal business hours and the respective Division after hours. > Request that Communications Division conduct hourly City-wide broadcasts and notify local law enforcement agencies (i.e., Santa Monica PD, Inglewood PD, LASO, etc.), if necessary. Note: With the ease and availability of mass transit, this is one of the best tools available, as it casts a wide net and further enhances the Department's investigative efforts. In the event that an off-hours exigency exists that cannot be addressed or overcome by Area resources, advice can be sought from the Commanding Officer, Detective Support and Vice Division. I