MILWAUKEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
180 – MISSING PERSONS
GENERAL ORDER: 2018-07
ISSUED: June 11, 2018

EFFECTIVE: June 11, 2018

ACTION: Amends General Order 2017-01 (January 3, 2017)

REVIEWED/APPROVED BY:
Director Regina Howard
DATE: May 16, 2018
WILEAG STANDARD(S): 6.1.5, 6.6.5

180.00 PURPOSE
The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to establish guidelines for the
investigation of missing persons.
180.05 POLICY
It is the policy of the Milwaukee Police Department to respond to and thoroughly
investigate all reports of missing persons.
180.10 DEFINITIONS (WILEAG 6.1.5)
A. ABDUCTED CHILD
A person age 17 years or younger, who has been unwillingly removed from his/her
home or the custody of his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian, without
permission from the child’s legal guardian or designated legal representative.
B. AMBER ALERT
The Amber Alert System is a cooperative effort between law enforcement and the
broadcast media, Department of Transportation, and wireless industry in the event of
child abduction. Activation of the system provides emergency broadcasts of descriptive
information of the missing through a multitude of media outlets to facilitate the safe
recovery of an abducted child.
C. CRITICAL MISSING
A person who has been reported missing and meets any of the following criteria:
1. The missing person has a physical, mental, or cognitive (Dementia, Alzheimer’s)
disability, drug dependency or other at-risk issue, which subjects themselves or
others to danger. District shift commanders shall notify the Sensitive Crimes Division
(SCD) who will make the final determination to investigate as a critical or non-critical
missing.
(WILEAG 6.1.5.4)
2. There is reasonable suspicion to believe the disappearance of the missing person is
not voluntary and/or the missing person is the victim of foul play.

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3. The missing person has a medical condition that requires lifesaving medication or
procedures and it is believed the missing person does not have access to those
necessities.
4. The missing person is missing after a disaster, but not confirmed to be dead (e.g.,
drowning, explosion).
5. The missing person is age 11 years or younger.
6. The missing person is under the age of 18 and has their own minor child in their
custody.
7. The missing person is suicidal.
8. The missing person is a military veteran.
D. GREEN ALERT
The Green Alert System is a cooperative effort between law enforcement, broadcast
media, and the Department of Transportation (DOT) in the event that a veteran at risk
is reported as a missing person. Activation of the Green Alert System provides
emergency broadcasts of descriptive information of the missing through a multitude of
media outlets to facilitate the safe recovery of the veteran.
Veteran at risk is a veteran or active duty member of the armed forces, national guard,
or military reserve forces of the United States who is known, based on information
provided by the person making the report, to have a physical or mental health
condition that is related to his/her service.
E. LONG TERM MISSING PERSON
Any person who has remained the subject of a missing person investigation for over 90
days.
F. NON-CRITICAL MISSING
A person reported missing who does not meet the definition of an abducted child or
critical missing.
G. MISSING REPORT COORDINATOR (MRC)
The commander at each district shall designate a member to act as the missing report
coordinator (MRC). See SOP 180.35 for the duties of the MRC.
H. SILVER ALERT
The Silver Alert System is a cooperative effort between law enforcement and the
broadcast media in the event of a missing person, aged 60 or older, who is believed to
be missing as a result of impaired cognitive disorders such as dementia or Alzheimer’s,

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or other permanent cognitive impairment. Activation of the system provides emergency
broadcasts of descriptive information of the missing through a multitude of media outlets
and must be made within 72 hours of the individual’s disappearance.
180.15 MISSING REPORT PROCEDURES (WILEAG 6.1.5, 6.6.5)
A. Police members receiving a report of a missing person shall direct the caller to obtain a
recent picture (if available) of the missing person and go to the nearest district station to
report the missing person. A police member shall be sent to take the initial report at the
reporting person's location only when one or more of the following circumstances are
present:
1. The missing person meets the definition of a critical missing.
2. When the reporting person is medically incapable of going to a district station.
3. When a supervisor directs a member be sent to investigate.
Note: There is no 24-hour waiting period for department members to file a
missing report on any missing person. Missing reports shall be
accepted without delay.
B. The initial report taker at the district station or the first responding officer to a missing
person investigation shall gather as much pertinent information as possible to
accurately classify a missing person report and initiate an appropriate response. This
shall include but is not limited to the following information:
1. Physical Description:
a. Name, date of birth, ethnic origin, sex, gender (both natural and/or
transformational) height, weight, build, hair and eye color.
b. Facial hair, glasses, teeth, scars, marks, tattoos, piercings, amputation or other
physical characteristics.
c. Clothing: head cover, shirt, pants, outerwear, footwear, jewelry.
2. Reporting Factors:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

i.

Location last seen, last seen with, date and time last seen.
Reported by and relationship to missing.
Previous missing reports and where last located.
Has subject gone missing in the past but it was not reported.
Subject has never gone missing before.
Reason for disappearance: argument, fight, unknown.
Extent that the reporting party has searched for the missing.
Extent to which the missing person has departed from established behavior
patterns, habits, plans, any recent traumatic events or domestic violence
incidents.
Any circumstances that may indicate the disappearance was not voluntary or that
the missing person may be at risk of injury or death.

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3. Associates:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Natural parents, foster parents, other family members.
Friends and associates.
Spouse, significant other, ex-spouse or other relationship.
Case worker.

4. Related History:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

School / work.
Wanted check.
Criminal history.
Probation / parole.
Driver’s license.
Medical or mental health history or diagnosis, current need for prescription drugs
or any drug or alcohol use.
g. Social Security number.
5. Background Information:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Cell phone information.
Home computer / laptop.
Credit / debit card banking information.
Money carried by missing.
Social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Mode of transportation: vehicle description.
(WILEAG 6.1.5.1)

C. The police member taking the report shall complete a missing persons report in the
Automated Reporting System (ARS). The member shall complete a Missing
Certification Form (form PM-34) and the reporting person shall sign the National Crime
Information Center (NCIC) authorization on the report to enter the missing person into
the NCIC Missing Persons File. Members shall forward the PM-34 within 24 hours to
the Technical Communications Division - NCIC Unit.
(WILEAG 6.1.5.2)
D. If a person under the age of 18 is reported missing and takes his/her child with them, a
separate critical missing report shall be filed on the child. A Missing Certification Form
(form PM-34) is required for both the person under 18 years of age and their child.
The NCIC entry shall include related ARS incident report numbers. Members shall
forward the PM-34 within 24 hours to the Technical Communications Division - NCIC
Unit.
E. The police member taking the missing report shall query the missing person in NCIC to
determine if the missing person is wanted. The missing person’s wanted status, either
“wanted” or “not wanted” shall be entered into the ARS missing report.
F. If the wanted check reveals the missing person already has an open missing status, the
investigating member shall file a new updated ARS missing report and cancel the

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previous ARS missing report.
G. Prior to the ARS missing report being reviewed by a shift commander, information
contained on the report shall be teletyped as a missing person. This teletype shall be
sent within 60 minutes of the time that the missing report is received and shall be sent
to all districts and divisions, including the Technical Communications Division – NCIC
Unit (teletype destination MWDC). The member shall include the teletype date, time and
message number within the ARS missing report.
(WILEAG 6.1.5.2, 6.1.5.4)
H. “Suzanne’s Law” is a federal law that mandates that a law enforcement agency initiate
an investigation of a missing person under the age of twenty-one without a waiting
period. They shall also immediately enter the information of all missing persons,
between 18 and 21 years of age into the NCIC Missing Person File. The Technical
Communications Division - NCIC Unit shall enter the information of all missing persons
under the age of 21 into the Department of Justice (DOJ), Criminal Information Bureau
(CIB) and NCIC. A signed PM-34 form must be on file.
(WILEAG 6.1.5.2, 6.1.5.4)
I. Missing persons over 21 years of age require a signed PM-34 form that shall be entered
into the NCIC Missing Person File. The PM-34 must state the condition(s) under which
the person is missing to aid in the protection of the individual’s right to privacy.
J. Non-critical missing adults over the age of 21 shall be teletyped to all districts and
divisions.
(WILEAG 6.1.5.2)
180.20 INVESTIGATION RESPONSIBILITY
A. The member filing the missing report is responsible to conduct the initial investigation if
the missing person is reported missing from a location within that member’s district.
B. Whenever a member files a missing report for a person reported missing from a location
in a different district that member shall notify his/her supervisor. The supervisor shall
notify the shift commander of the district in which the person was reported missing from
and alert them to the report in the RMS system. The district from where the person is
missing from is responsible for the initial investigation and any required follow up.
C. When a person is reported missing in the city of Milwaukee but lives in another
jurisdiction, the district in which the individual is reported missing from, shall investigate
regardless of which district filed the report.
D. The member filing the missing report shall obtain a recent photo of the missing person
and shall ensure that the photo is filed in the manner prescribed by the missing report
coordinator (MRC).
Note: The district a citizen enters to report a missing person shall take the
missing report. Citizens shall not be sent to another district or the district
in which the missing person resides for the report taking process.

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180.25 INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES (WILEAG 6.1.5, 6.6.5)
A. INITIAL INVESTIGATION
1. Conduct a consent search of the home and grounds from which the person went
missing.
2. Conduct a search of the last location the missing person was seen and conduct an
interview of those that last saw the missing person.
3. Fully identify and separately interview anyone at the scene of the disappearance of
the missing person and treat the location as a possible crime scene.
4. Identify any areas at the incident scene that have been disrupted or may have the
potential for the presence of evidence and safeguard those areas.
5. Broadcast a description of the missing person and vehicle.
6. Conduct a canvass of the neighborhood.
7. Make a determination as to the status of the, critical or non-critical missing person
and make the appropriate supervisory notification.
8. Conduct a search for prior RMS reports or CAD calls that may identify incidents that
precipitated the individual’s disappearance or potential acquaintances they may be
with or who may know their location.
9. File a supplementary report in the ARS system detailing the initial investigation.
B. MISSING CHILD
The first responding officer to a missing child report shall conduct an investigation per
SOP 180.25(A)(1-9) in addition to the following:
1. Search any place where a child could be trapped, sleeping or hiding. This shall be
done even if the child is missing from a location that is not the primary residence.
The primary residence should also be searched.
2. Conduct in depth interviews of parents, caregivers or those who last had contact
with the missing child to create a timeline and gain insight into the circumstances
surrounding the disappearance. This should include confirmation of who has
custody of the child.
3. Report all findings of the investigation to a supervisor.
(WILEAG 6.1.5.3, 6.1.5.4, 6.6.5.2)
C. FOLLOW UP
The commanding officer or designee of each district shall ensure all non-critical

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missing persons’ investigations and follow-up are completed on a regular basis,
based on the circumstances surrounding each missing person. For those persons
missing for the first time or who have extenuating events surrounding their
disappearance, follow up is required daily. Those persons who have been reported
missing previously require follow up once a week at a minimum, based on the
circumstances surrounding the investigation. Each missing persons’ case must be
assessed individually and may require more follow up depending on the totality of the
circumstances surrounding the investigation. If there are any questions regarding
missing follow-up, seek guidance from a supervisor. All follow up must be documented
in a supplemental report in ARS. If follow-up investigation reveals critical factors, SCD
shall be notified and members shall follow the procedure outlined in SOP 180.25 and
180.30.
(WILEAG 6.1.5.3, 6.1.5.4, 6.6.5.3)
180.30 CRITICAL MISSING PERSONS (WILEAG 6.1.5, 6.6.5)
A. A police member shall immediately be assigned to investigate and file the ARS missing
report for any missing person that meets the criteria of being a critical missing. The
member shall complete a Missing Certification Form (form PM-34) and the reporting
person shall be required to sign the NCIC authorization on the report. Members shall
forward the PM-34 within 24 hours to the Technical Communications Division - NCIC
Unit.
B. A patrol sergeant shall be assigned to the investigation to coordinate the re-search of
the home and property as well as a canvass of the surrounding area. Information
contained within the ARS report shall be teletyped by office personnel as a critical
missing person. This teletype shall be sent within 60 minutes of the time that the
missing report is received and shall be sent to all districts and divisions including
MWDC. The member shall include the teletype date, time and message number within
the ARS missing report. The Technical Communications Division-NCIC Unit (MWDC)
shall enter the information of the critical missing into CIB and NCIC.
C. SCD shall be notified by the district shift commander when they become aware of a
critical missing. A supervisor shall assign an SCD investigator to coordinate the
investigation with the sergeant on scene in an attempt to locate the critical missing
person. It shall be the responsibility of the respective district shift commander to assign
police members and a sergeant from shift to shift to investigate the missing person. A
missing supplementary report shall be filed in the ARS during each 8-hour tour of duty
and include follow-up information or other circumstances on the critical missing.
D. SCD shall continually monitor and investigate all critical missings. The assigned
investigators from SCD shall file a missing supplementary report in the ARS on a daily
basis.
(WILEAG 6.1.5.2, 6.1.5.3, 6.1.5.4, 6.6.5.3, 6.6.5.4)
180.35 MISSING REPORT COORDINATOR (MRC) (WILEAG 6.1.5, 6.6.5)
The commander at each district shall designate a member to act as the MRC. The MRC
responsibilities include:

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1. The MRC shall coordinate and maintain the district missing files and ensure that follow
up is being conducted. This includes missing reports initiated in another district for a
person reported missing from within the MRC’s district.
(WILEAG 6.1.5.3, 6.1.5.4, 6.6.5.3)
2. The MRC shall ensure that photos of the missing person that have been surrendered at
any time during the investigation are maintained as part of the missing file so they are
available to the SCD upon request.
3. The MRC of each district shall be prepared to work in liaison with a SCD missing report
auditor to ensure the completeness of each investigation.
180.40 MISSING PERSON AUDITS
SCD shall conduct audits of each district’s missing files by contacting the district MRC at
least once a month and working in liaison to ensure the completeness of all reports and
follow up.
180.45 AMBER ALERT- ABDUCTED CHILD RELATED MISSINGS (WILEAG 6.6.5)
A. AMBER ALERT CRITERIA
1. Child must be 17 years of age or younger.
2. Child must be in danger of serious bodily harm or death.
3. The initiating agency must have enough descriptive information about the child, the
suspect(s), and/or the suspect vehicle(s) to believe an immediate broadcast alert will
help locate the child.
Note: The Amber Alert is not to be used for family abductions and runaways
unless the child’s life is in immediate danger.
B. AMBER ALERT PROCEDURE
1. If a police member has reason to believe a child has been abducted, they shall
immediately broadcast a description, contact his/her shift commander and request a
sergeant respond to the scene. The sergeant shall coordinate the search and
canvass of the home and surrounding area.
2. SCD shall be notified by the district shift commander when they become aware of
an abduction/ potential Amber Alert. An SCD shift commander shall assign an
SCD investigator to coordinate the investigation with the sergeant on scene in
an attempt to locate the abducted person. The SCD shift commander shall also
monitor the investigation.
3. If the SCD shift commander determines that the Amber Alert criteria have been
satisfied, he/she shall obtain approval from the inspector of the Criminal
Investigation Bureau, or designee, during weekdays or the field inspector during

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nights and weekends to activate the Amber Alert. The SCD shift commander shall
ensure that the Amber Alert instructions are implemented without delay and the
necessary reports are completed.
(WILEAG 6.6.5.1)
4. SCD shall continually monitor and investigate all Amber Alerts. SCD shall assign an
investigator on each shift and the investigators shall file a missing supplementary
report in ARS.
180.50 GREEN ALERT – VETERAN AT RISK MISSING
A. GREEN ALERT CRITERIA
1. The Green Alert request is made within 72 hours of the individual’s disappearance.
2. There is reason to believe the veteran at risk is missing due to his/her physical or
mental health conditions related to military service.
3. There is sufficient information available to disseminate that could assist in locating
the missing veteran at risk.
4. The missing person has been entered into NCIC.
B. GREEN ALERT PROCEDURE
1. If a police member has reason to believe a person meeting the criteria of 180.45(A)
has been reporting missing, they shall immediately broadcast a description,
contact his/her shift commander, and request a sergeant respond to the scene.
The sergeant shall coordinate the search and canvass of the home and
surrounding area.
2. SCD shall be notified by the district shift commander when they become aware of
a potential Green Alert missing. The SCD shift commander shall assign an SCD
investigator to coordinate the investigation with the sergeant on scene in an
attempt to locate the missing person. The SCD shift commander shall also monitor
the investigation.
3. If the SCD shift commander determines the Green Alert criteria have been
satisfied, he/she shall obtain approval from the inspector of the Criminal
Investigation Bureau, or designee, during weekdays, or the field inspectors on
nights or weekend to activate the Green Alert. The SCD shift commander shall
ensure the Green Alert instructions are implemented without delay and the
necessary reports are completed.
4. SCD shall continually monitor and investigate all Green Alerts. SCD shall assign
an investigator on each shift and the investigators shall file a supplemental report
on each shift.

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180.55 SILVER ALERT (WILEAG 6.1.5)
A. SILVER ALERT CRITERIA
1. The missing person is 60 years of age or older.
2. The missing person is believed to have Alzheimer's, dementia, or another
permanent cognitive impairment that poses a threat to their health and safety.
3. There is reasonable belief that the missing person's disappearance is due to their
impaired cognitive condition.
4. The Silver Alert request is made within 72 hours of the individual's disappearance.
5. There is sufficient information available to disseminate to the public that could
assist in locating the missing person.
6. The missing person has been entered into NCIC.
B. SILVER ALERT PROCEDURE
1. If a police member has reason to believe a person meeting the criteria in 180.50(A)
has been reported missing, they shall immediately broadcast a description, contact
his/her shift commander and request a sergeant respond to the scene. The sergeant
shall coordinate the search and canvass of the home and surrounding area.
2. SCD shall be notified by the district shift commander when they become aware of
a potential Silver Alert missing. The SCD shift commander shall assign an SCD
investigator to coordinate the investigation with the sergeant on scene in an
attempt to locate the m i s s i n g person. The SCD shift commander shall also
monitor the investigation.
3. If the SCD shift commander determines that the Silver Alert criteria have been
satisfied, he/she shall obtain approval from the inspector of the Criminal
Investigation Bureau, or designee, during weekdays or the field inspector during
nights and weekends to activate the Silver Alert. The SCD shift commander shall
ensure that the Silver Alert instructions are implemented without delay and the
necessary reports are completed.
(WILEAG 6.1.5.4)
4. SCD shall continually monitor and investigate all Silver Alerts. SCD shall assign an
investigator on each shift and the investigators shall file a missing supplementary
report in ARS.
180.60 INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY
Department members shall file an ARS missing report on juvenile victims of interference
with custody cases, even if custody has not been formally established. ARS missing
reports shall not be completed on adult suspects in these matters; rather they shall be

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named on incident reports involving these cases. In all cases involving interference with
custody, the SCD shall be notified for assistance.
180.65 MISSING JUVENILES
A. RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTERS, GROUP OR FOSTER HOMES
1. When investigating missing juveniles from a residential treatment center, group
home or foster home, investigating members shall determine the placing authority,
name of caseworker, parent’s name, address, and phone number. Contact shall be
made with the juvenile’s caseworker to ascertain if the juvenile has been
transferred to another facility.
2. An ARS missing report shall be filed on the juvenile. The member shall complete a
Missing Certification Form (form PM-34) and the reporting person (director or staff
member) shall be required to sign the NCIC authorization on the report. Members
shall forward the PM-34 within 24 hours to the Technical Communications Division
- NCIC Unit.
3. The juvenile's caseworker shall be asked to file an "apprehension request" on the
child. If an "apprehension request" is issued on the juvenile, the missing report shall
remain open.
B. WANTED BY OTHER JURISDICTIONS
1. Juvenile missing persons from other jurisdictions, or juveniles who are wanted by
other jurisdictions for the commission of a crime, and who are taken into custody by
a member(s) of the Milwaukee Police Department, shall be interviewed regarding
their whereabouts and activities during their absence. An investigation shall be
conducted to determine whether any offenses have been committed during the time
the juvenile has been missing.
2. An Arrest/Detention Report (form PA-45) shall be filed and the juvenile entered as
a child in need of protective custody (Wis. Stat. § 48.19(D)(5)). If the parent(s) or
guardian of the juvenile cannot be located, or refuse to accept the juvenile, the
Division of Milwaukee Child Protection Services (DMCPS) shall be notified of the
child in need of protective custody and the juvenile shall be turned over to DMCPS
for placement.
3. Teletype communications with any other departments outside of the city of
Milwaukee shall be processed through the SCD or the Technical Communications
Division - NCIC Unit.
C. LOCAL MISSING JUVENILES LOCATED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS
1. When a police department of another jurisdiction notifies the department that a
missing juvenile from Milwaukee has been located or taken into custody, it is the
responsibility of the officer receiving the notification to notify the juvenile’s parent or
guardian.

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2. The parent or guardian shall be instructed to make the necessary arrangements with
the locating department for the return of the juvenile.
3. Department members shall not transport the missing juvenile unless otherwise
directed by a supervisor.
4. When information is received that the juvenile is in the custody of another
jurisdiction, a teletype shall be requested from that jurisdiction regarding the
circumstances of the missing being taken into custody and sent to the Technical
Communications Division - NCIC Unit. A copy of the teletype message from the
outside jurisdiction shall be forwarded to the SCD. The SCD shall determine if
follow-up investigation will be conducted regarding the juvenile’s criminal activities.
The officer receiving the notification shall ensure the juvenile missing is cancelled by
the Technical Communications Division - NCIC Unit (MWDC) and a missing
supplementary report is filed in the ARS documenting all information in addition to
the details of the missing’s return.
D. DIVISION OF MILWAUKEE
RESPONSIBILITY

CHILD

PROTECTION

SERVICES

(DMCPS)

When a missing juvenile is located in the city of Milwaukee, the juvenile shall be
turned over to a parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian cannot be located, or
refuses to accept the juvenile, then DMCPS shall be called (414-220-7233) for a Child
in need of Protective Services (CHIPS). The DMCPS worker will place the juvenile or
authorize the placement with an adult relative.
180.70 MISSING PERSONS REACHING AGE 21 (WILEAG 6.1.5)
A missing person who is still missing after reaching 21 years of age shall remain entered in
NCIC regardless of whether or not they are a critical, endangered or involuntary missing
person.
(WILEAG 6.1.5.2)
180.75 NON-CRITICAL PERSON MISSING MORE THAN 30 DAYS (WILEAG 6.1.5)
If a non-critical person is missing more than 30 days, SCD shall notify the district and
advise who will assume command of the long term missing. Districts must exhaust all
investigative leads and there must be documented evidence showing that investigation and
follow up on the missing person has been conducted per SOP. If SCD assumes
responsibility for the investigation, the district will no longer be required to file
supplementary reports on the missing. If SCD makes the determination not to assume
responsibility for the missing, the district shall be responsible for conducting follow up on
the missing person and submitting the required reports. The determination of who will be
responsible for the investigation shall be documented in an ARS supplemental report by
SCD.
If unusual or suspicious circumstances are revealed, the SCD shift commander shall
determine if supplementary information should be entered into NCIC, such as medical,
dental, DNA, and finger print information. The SCD shift commander shall also determine if

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a photograph of the missing person should be disseminated to all districts and divisions.
(WILEAG 6.1.5.2)
180.80 LONG TERM MISSING
A. If a person identified in a missing person report remains missing for more than 90 days,
SCD will attempt to obtain:
1. DNA samples from family members and, if possible, from the missing person, along
with any needed documentation, including consent forms required for the use of state
or federal DNA databases.
2. Dental information and x-rays, as well as an authorization to release dental or
skeletal x-rays of the missing person.
3. Any additional photographs of the missing person that may aid the investigation or
identification, which may include photos of tattoos or piercings.
4. Fingerprints.
B. MECHANICS FOR SUBMISSION OF DNA SAMPLES
1. If the missing person investigation remains active for more than 90 days, SCD and
the MRC shall work collaboratively to secure personal articles of the missing person
that may be beneficial in obtaining a DNA profile of the missing person.
2. If available, appropriate biological family members shall be contacted to ascertain if
they are willing to provide a reference DNA sample for comparison purposes in the
National Missing Persons Program federal database (CODIS MP) maintained by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation. Family members shall be advised that all such DNA
samples are provided on a voluntary basis and shall be used solely to help locate or
identify the missing person and will not be used for any other purposes.
3. Any DNA samples, from either the missing person or biological family, shall be
forwarded to the National Missing Persons Program at the University of North Texas
Health Science Center, in accordance with guidelines.
C. APPROPRIATE DNA SAMPLES
1. Personal Items from Missing Person





Toothbrush
Clothing
Hairbrush
Any item capable of furnishing a DNA profile

2. Nuclear Family Members of Missing Person


Biological siblings of missing person

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Biological parents of missing person
Biological children of missing person

3. Maternal Biological Relatives of Missing Person




Aunts and uncles of missing (maternal side only)
Cousins of missing (maternal side only)
Half siblings (maternal side only)

Note: These are simply guidelines for the collection of DNA. Circumstances
may dictate that DNA be collected sooner than 90 days. For example, if a
person is missing less than 90 days but there is reason to believe they
are in danger, is missing as a result of a stranger abduction, or possibly
deceased, the investigator may collect DNA prior to 90 days.
180.85 LOST CHILD
A. When a police member happens upon a lost child, information on the lost child shall be
broadcast via radio and an immediate door-to-door canvass shall be conducted by the
investigating member under the supervision of a patrol sergeant. The information shall
be teletyped to all districts and divisions and the child shall be conveyed to the
respective district station. A photograph of the lost child shall be taken for identification
purposes.
B. SCD shall assist in the identification of the lost child and in locating the
parents/guardian. If the residence is located, it shall be assessed for circumstances of
neglect, abuse or other criminal activity.
C. If unable to locate the parents/guardian, the child or juvenile shall be turned over to
DMCPS as a child in need of protective services.
180.90 MISSING PERSON RETURNS (WILEAG 6.1.5)
A. A missing supplementary report shall be filed in the ARS for any follow-up, additional
information, or cancellation of the missing. The person shall be interviewed, to
determine his/her whereabouts while missing, their associates, involvement in any
criminal activity, reason for being missing, and what the appropriate disposition should
be (e.g., arrest, counseling, referral).
B. When completing a missing supplementary report in ARS for cancellation of a missing
return, the investigating member shall conduct a wanted check on the missing and
indicate the missing’s wanted status in the ARS report. The investigating member shall
ensure that a cancellation teletype for the missing person be sent to all districts and
divisions, including teletype destination MWDC. The Technical Communications
Division - NCIC Unit (MWDC) shall cancel the missing person in NCIC.
(WILEAG 6.1.5.2)
C. A missing person cancellation may be taken by telephone for non-critical missings when
it has been verified that the caller has the authority to cancel the report. Members shall

 General Order 2018-07

MISSING PERSONS

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be diligent in assuring that the person they are speaking to has the authority to cancel
the missing report.
D. An officer shall be sent to the returned person's location only when one or more of the
circumstances detailed in SOP 180.10(A) and/or (C)(1-7) are present or the missing
person is currently wanted by the police. Every reasonable effort should be made to
take the wanted person into custody.
E. For non-suspicious adult missing returns, members shall direct the missing adult to
contact the person who reported him/her missing. For privacy reasons, department
members shall not divulge the location of the cleared missing adult to the reporting
person. Members will only advise the reporting person that the missing was located,
he/she appeared to be healthy, and that the missing was instructed to contact the
reporting person.
F. When the reporter states that an adult missing suffers from mental illness, department
members shall not divulge the location of the cleared missing adult to the reporting
person, except under the following circumstances:
1. The reporter can show they are a court ordered guardian of the adult; and
2. The located missing is considered at risk of/ or is being exploited or dominated by
others, being isolated, abused, intimidated or in cases that their decision making is
placing their health or safety at risk.
G. When members come into contact with missing persons who are in need of social
services, they shall direct the missing person or their family to an appropriate agency
that may be able to provide the needed services.

ALFONSO MORALES
CHIEF OF POLICE

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