If the subject is not at high risk of harm or danger, what action is required of law enforcement?

If the subject is not at high risk of harm or danger, what action is required of law enforcement?

• A. Start an investigation with due diligence to determine present location
• B. Do nothing
• C. Issue Amber Alert
• D. File civil action

Answer: (A)

When someone isn’t at high risk of harm, the proper action is to promptly start a missing-person investigation with due diligence to determine their present location. This means officers gather essential details (identity, last seen location and time, clothing, known associates), check likely places they frequent, review surveillance and other records as appropriate, reach out to family or friends for information, and coordinate with other agencies as needed. The goal is to locate the person quickly and safely using established procedures. Amber Alerts are reserved for cases where a child has been abducted and is believed to be in imminent danger; if those criteria aren’t met, issuing an Amber Alert isn’t appropriate. Filing civil action is not the tool used to locate a missing person within law enforcement. Start the investigation and apply due diligence to determine the subject’s location and safety.

When someone isn’t at high risk of harm, the proper action is to promptly start a missing-person investigation with due diligence to determine their present location. This means officers gather essential details (identity, last seen location and time, clothing, known associates), check likely places they frequent, review surveillance and other records as appropriate, reach out to family or friends for information, and coordinate with other agencies as needed. The goal is to locate the person quickly and safely using established procedures.

Amber Alerts are reserved for cases where a child has been abducted and is believed to be in imminent danger; if those criteria aren’t met, issuing an Amber Alert isn’t appropriate. Filing civil action is not the tool used to locate a missing person within law enforcement. Start the investigation and apply due diligence to determine the subject’s location and safety.