NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Directive 10.1 – Missing Persons
10.1.1 Missing Person - Definition
For the purposes of this directive, a missing person is defined as:
A. A person of any age who is missing and under proven physical/mental disability or is
senile, thereby subjecting himself/herself or others to personal and immediate danger.
B. A person of any age who is missing and in the company of another person under
circumstances indicating that his/her physical safety is in danger.
C. A person of any age who is missing under circumstances indicating that the
disappearance was not voluntary (i.e., abduction or kidnapping).
D. A person of any age who is missing and declared unemancipated as defined by the laws
of his/her state of residence and does not meet A, B, C, or E.
E. A person of any age who is missing after a disaster.
10.1.2 Missing Person - Procedure
A. When a missing person call is received, the dispatcher will immediately dispatch an
officer to conduct a preliminary investigation. The initial investigation as conducted by
the officer shall include, at a minimum, physical and clothing descriptions, vehicle
information (if applicable), possible destination or location and all other information as
required on the standard OIBRS report. The investigating officer shall obtain a
photograph, if available.
B. Upon completion of the preliminary report, the officer shall broadcast the description of
the missing person to all on-duty personnel. The officer will proceed to the Police
Department where a copy of the Missing Persons report shall be immediately delivered to
the dispatcher. If, upon initial investigation, it appears that a juvenile is a victim of a
criminal act, the on-duty supervisor will immediately contact a detective.
C. Upon receipt of a Missing Persons report, the dispatcher shall enter the information into
the Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS)/National Crime Information
Center (NCIC) computers. An officer will note in his/her Missing Persons Report the
date, time, and the dispatcher who entered the information.
D. When a missing person is found or voluntarily returns, the officer taking the cancellation
report shall notify the dispatcher who will immediately cancel the LEADS/NCIC entry.
The officer will note on his/her report the time, date and dispatcher who canceled the
entry.
E. All active missing person complaints shall be assigned to a detective for further
investigation. The assigned detective will contact the reporting person(s) to obtain and/or
provide updated information.
F. If the circumstances surrounding a missing person creates a level of concern for the
missing’s health and safety, the on-duty supervisor may immediately use available
resources to conduct a search for the individual.
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