Local Law Enforcement Agency Amber Alert Procedures
1
Review the Amber Alert activation checklist below to determine whether the abduction meets Amber Alert criteria. Notify the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Operations Center and provide the requested information.
2
If the abduction meets the criteria the BCA will issue an Amber Alert. As more information becomes available, contact the BCA for additional dissemination.
3
Upon locating the abducted child, immediately notify the BCA so that the alert can be cancelled.
AMBER Alert Activation Checklist
1
Is the abduction one in which the victim is 17 years of age or younger?
- If YES, answer question 2.
- If NO, answer question 3.
2
Do you believe the child to be in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death?
- If YES, request activation of an Amber Alert.
- If NO, go to question 3.
Please provide the following information to the BCA. Do not delay requesting the alert if your agency is still gathering the information. Alerts can be updated as more information becomes available.
- When/where child was abducted
- Description of the child
- Photo of the child if available
- Description of abductor if known
- Photo of abductor if available
- Description of vehicle if involved
- Photo of vehicle if available
- Last known direction of travel
- Is there reason to believe the suspect has a relationship to the victim
- 24 hour phone number for tips or questions
Law enforcement should consider waiting to request an alert if there is no information to send out.
3
Could assistance from the public, law enforcement, businesses and the media help in locating the person who does not meet Amber Alert criteria?
- If YES, issue an Endangered Missing Persons Alert.
- If NO, BCA agents are available to assist your agency as needed. Call 651-793-7000 to request agent assistance.