	Lakewood Police Department Policy and Procedure Runaway/Missing Juvenile Investigations		Effective Date: 08/18/2022
	Policy Number: PP-8151 - Runaway/Missing Juvenile Investigations

A. Policy

Missing child means a child whose whereabouts are unknown, whose domicile at the time he was first reported missing was Colorado, and whose age at the time he or she was first reported missing was seventeen years of age or younger.

The Police Department recognizes the responsibility it has regarding runaways. In the case of a voluntarily missing juvenile (runaway), the case shall remain an open investigation until the juvenile is located and returned to a parent or legal guardian or placed in a shelter care.

The Police Department also recognizes a unique responsibility in the area of missing juveniles. Many cases involve no criminal conduct however, a missing juvenile report may become the first notification to authorities that a major crime has been committed.

It is the policy of this department to actively pursue runaway / missing juvenile cases to conclusion.

B. Procedure

1. A missing juvenile investigation shall be conducted to ascertain the well-being of the child. If the missing juvenile�s status and well-being are verified, the reporting party shall be notified and the case closed. Runaway and missing juvenile investigations may be initiated in the following cases:

a. When the runaway / missing juvenile resides or was last known to reside in Colorado.

b. When there is credible information indicating that the missing juvenile was last believed to be in Colorado.

c. When a juvenile is under the legal custody of the state department of human services or a county department of human or social services and is determined to be missing from an out-of-home placement foster home or treatment facility.

d. There is no minimum length of time required for a person to be missing before a report is completed.

2. The initial report of a runaway / missing juvenile shall be generally taken by a patrol agent, desk agent or Telephone Reporting Unit (TRU) who shall list as much information as is available concerning description and possible leads.

a. Phone reports may be taken for runaways from recognized group homes, shelter care centers, or treatment facilities, or at a supervisor's direction. An agent may be assigned for first-time runaway or at the request of a parent or guardian.

b. Due to potential delay in follow-up review, missing juvenile reports are not generally accepted by internet, mail, or other electronic media, however, unusual circumstances of initial notifications will be evaluated by a supervisor for possible acceptance.

3. An immediate search and notification of appropriate inter-and intra-agencies, and supervisory notification shall be made when:

a. The missing juvenile is under the age of 12 years.

b. In any case a patrol supervisor deems such a search appropriate.

c. When the missing juvenile is unable to care for his own safety.

d. When there is an indication of foul play, accident, or extreme danger, and there are leads available.

The scope of the search and resources deployed shall be at the direction of the patrol sergeant or Sector Commander.

4. Missing Person reports are not required when:

a. A formal report or missing person investigation is being or has been initiated by another Colorado law enforcement agency.

b. LPD knows the location of the reported missing person and can confirm the safe status of the person.

c. The reporting person is unable to articulate a bonafide relationship with the person or a legitimate rationale for concern.

d. LPD suspects and can articulate that the person is being sought for reasons of harassment, stalking, retaliation, court testimony, debt collection, or any action in defiance of a protection order.

e. Articulable, documented extenuating circumstance(s) make the report acceptance impractical or unreasonable

5. CCIC and NCIC entry

a. All runaways / missing juveniles reported to the Police Department shall be entered in the Colorado Crime Information Center (CCIC) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computers within two hours of report receipt. CBI Will be notified. A teletype form shall be completed, and the teletype number shall be noted in the report. Associated vehicles or pertinent information shall be included in the entry.

b. When an employee is advised that a runaway / missing juvenile has returned or been located, that person will complete a supplementary report with the pertinent information. That employee shall also cancel the computer entry and include that teletype number in the supplementary report.

6. Amber Alert Plan. See also PP9042.

If it is confirmed a juvenile has been abducted, the circumstances surrounding the abduction indicate that the child is in danger of serious bodily harm or death and there is enough descriptive information about the child, abductor and/or the suspect's vehicle, an Amber Alert shall be put together for public distribution, as soon as practicable, in accordance to 9042 of the department manual.

7. Follow up:

a. Each missing juvenile case may be assigned to the juvenile technician for follow-up investigation.

b. In the event that a sworn supervisor determines that the welfare of the child requires it, a detective will be assigned the case for immediate investigation.

c. The juvenile technician shall be assigned administrative responsibility for the case. The technician will ensure that the case management system is kept up-to-date with the status of the case. A trace date not to exceed 7 workdays shall be assigned for the completion of the initial investigation.

d. Circumstances during the initial 7-day period shall dictate the urgency of any subsequent investigative action.

e. Reports shall be written on active missing juveniles with trace dates as follows:

Period of Time Missing: Supplemental Report Due:

1 day - 30 days 30 days

30 days - 1 year Quarterly

1 year or more Annually

8. Case closure

a. Cancel the CCIC/NCIC entry.

b. Complete a teletype request form confirming cancellation information.

c. Cancel the Amber Alert Plan if one had been activated.

d. Notify the reporting party of the case disposition.

e. Write a supplement detailing the circumstances of the missing juveniles return.

C. Rule

The Police Department shall not refuse to accept a missing juvenile report based on arbitrary time limits not being met.

PP-8152 - SRO and School Liaison