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Agony Aunt
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My work in progress - police procedure
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message 1:
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Graham
(new)
Feb 11, 2015 08:39AM
How long has the boy been missing?
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As a retired police officer (2011) things may have changed since my time, so you may want to double check what I'm telling you.If it's a case of the boy going missing whilst out playing no police officer would be allocated to the family. A MISPER form would be completed - description, DOB, photo if possible, friends, acquaintances, likely hangouts, etc. These details would then be entered onto computer back at the station and an electronic log of all subsequent actions/follow up enquiries recorded. In the first instance the upkeep of the log is overseen by a Sgt. If the person is missing for any period of time details of the Misper are passed up the chain of command so that a major search can be co-ordinated and if necessary an incident room set up.
So far as press are concerned, police would want some input into media releases. Usually this is done via the Press Office.
Like I said, check this out. I may be out of date. The best way is to speak to a serving police officer. If you tell them who you are and what you're doing I'm sure they'd help you out.
It depends on the age of the boy and the circumstances of his disappearance. If a baby was taken from a pram police would flood the area of the abduction asap, doing house to house enquiries and trying to find witnesses. There would also be widespread media coverage on the day it occurred. So far as a major search is concerned, this would only happen once all lines of enquiry have been exhausted - friends spoken to, hangouts checked, possible lines of enquiry - sightings, etc bottomed out. Is there any evidence of foul play? If so this will effect how quickly police allocate resources.
Jacquelynn,You may also want to contact the HMSO (Her Majesty's Stationary Office). There used to be one in Birmingham. I don't know if it's still there. Police officers regularly purchased law books from there. You may be able to find a book dealing with police procedures that can assist you.
Thanks for all that Graham - think it'll come in handy for me too!
