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Newport News Police Department - Operational Manual
OPS-441 - MISSING PERSONS (AGE 21 & OLDER)
Amends/Supersedes: 10/24/2018 Date of Issue: 01/22/2020
I. PROCEDURE
A. Reporting Procedures
1. All reports of missing persons (age 21 and older) will be taken by a sworn police officer.
The Department holds that every person reported as missing will be considered at risk
until significant information to the contrary is confirmed.
a. If the missing person reporting call received is from an out-of-state/jurisdiction
complainant:
1) The call-taker obtains the complainant's name, call-back number, and last
known location of the missing individual (if available).
2) The call-taker immediately notifies an on-duty supervisor from the
corresponding precinct.
3) If information on the missing individual's whereabouts is not known, then the
call-taker may use discretion as to which supervisor is notified.
4) The supervisor contacts the complainant as soon as possible to determine the
nature of the incident and formulate the correct plan of action.
2. A police officer shall respond to the scene to determine if the person is missing from the
City of Newport News and which of the following criteria the person meets.
[41.2.5(f)]
a. Disability: Person missing is under proven physical/mental disability or is senile,
thereby subjecting himself or others to personal or immediate danger.
b. Endangered: Person missing under circumstances indicating his physical safety is
in danger.
c. Involuntary: Person missing under circumstances indicating the disappearance was
not voluntary, and which may establish them as a critically missing adult (VA Code
§52-34.10).
NOTE: If the missing person falls under one of the categories, the reporting sergeant
shall notify the on-call Special Victims Unit supervisor/detective. In addition,
if the missing person falls under the category of Involuntary, the reporting
sergeant shall ensure the incident area or place where the person was last seen
as a potential crime scene is secured and safeguarded.
d. Other: A person 21 years of age or older who does not meet the criteria for entry
in any other category, who is missing and for whom there is a reasonable concern
for his or her safety.
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