To assign the responsibilities for notifying Staff and on-call personnel of emergencies and serious incidents.
 

G.O. 1105, Staff Duty Officer
Patrol SOP P1-142 Command Duty Officer

CALEA Standards 22.2.6; 46.1.2; 46.1.4; 46.1.5; 52.1.3; 55.2.6
 

As police agencies must respond to an unpredictable variety of incidents, it is clearly impossible to devise a comprehensive and definitive policy for notifications. The best that can be done is to set up a basic guideline and to trust Department personnel to demonstrate professionalism in their use of discretion. The fundamental question is, "Who needs to know in order to act?"

Similarly, an adequate list of cross-references would include most directives in this manual and, therefore, serve no purpose that is not equally well-served by the Table of Contents. Those charged with making notifications are advised to consult whatever directives pertain to the specific kind of incident at hand.
 

Patrol Sergeants will use their judgment and experience to determine which incidents require Staff notification. Mandatory notifications are listed below.

•   Change in National Alert Status

·     Deadly force incidents resulting in injury or death

·         Officer causes death or serious injury to someone

·         Member is seriously injured (hospitalized) or killed

·         Incidents involving political sensitivity or major liability risk

·         Barricaded gunman or hostage incidents

·         Explosives incidents of a serious nature

·         Major fires, aircraft incidents, or other disasters that require police response

·         Major civil disturbances/unlawful demonstrations

·         Homicides or suspected homicides, violent suicides, kidnapping or foul play

·         Major employee walk-outs or work stoppages

·         Major communications or computer equipment failure

·          Major damage to or malfunction of patrol equipment

·         Major incidents requiring unusual drain on Patrol manpower

·         Arrests or other incidents likely to generate special media attention; newsworthy"  events

·         Department Member is charged with a crime

Deadly force incidents resulting in injury or death Command Duty Officer Staff Duty Officer - Weekends All Deputy Chiefs Commander of Investigations Public Information Officer Commander of Professional Standards Division Commander(s), as appropriate Officer causes death or serious injury to someone: Command Duty OfficerStaff Duty Officer - Weekends All Deputy Chiefs Commander of Professional Standards Public Information Officer Division Commander(s), as appropriate Member is seriously injured (hospitalized) or killed: Command Duty Officer Staff Duty Officer - Weekends All Deputy Chiefs Commander of Professional Standards Public Information Officer Police Psychologist Commander or equivalent in member's chain of command Division Commander(s), as appropriate Incidents involving political sensitivity or major liability risk: Command Duty Officer Staff Duty Officer - Weekends Deputy Chief of Patrol Public Information Officer Division Commander(s), as appropriate Barricaded gunman or hostage incidents: Command Duty Officer Staff Duty Officer - Weekends Deputy Chief of Patrol Public Information Officer Division Commander(s), as appropriate Explosives incidents of a serious nature: Command Duty OfficerStaff Duty Officer - Weekends Deputy Chief of Patrol Public Information Officer Division Commander(s), as appropriate Major fires, aircraft incidents, or other disasters that require police response: Command Duty OfficerStaff Duty Officer - Weekends Deputy Chief of Patrol Public Information Officer Division Commander(s), as appropriate Major civil disturbances/unlawful demonstrations: Command Duty Officer Staff Duty Officer - Weekends Deputy Chief of Patrol Public Information Officer Division Commander(s), as appropriate Homicides or suspected homicides, violent suicides, kidnapping or foul play: Command Duty Officer Public Information Officer Major employee walk-outs or work stoppages: Command Duty Officer Staff Duty Officer- Weekends All Deputy Chiefs supervising the activity Commander of Professional Standards Public Information Officer Division Commanders, as appropriate Commander or equivalent supervising the activity Major communications or computer equipment failure: Command Duty Officer Staff Duty Officer - weekends Communications Manager and/or Computer Services Manager Information Technology Manager Staff Duty Officer Director, Management Services Major damage to or malfunction of patrol equipment: Command Duty Officer Staff Duty Officer - Weekends Division Commander(s), as appropriate Major incidents requiring unusual drain on Patrol manpower: Command Duty Officer Staff Duty Officer - Weekends Division Commander(s), as appropriate Arrests or other incidents likely to generate special media attention; "newsworthy" events: Command Duty Officer Staff Duty Officer - Weekends Public Information Officer Department Member is charged with a crime: Command Duty Officer Commander of Professional Standards Public Information Officer Division Commander
 

Communications is responsible for making all emergency notifications other than those given individually to Staff.  Communications will routinely notify Staff members via the “Red Team” page of all the incidents categorized by this General Order, and any other event that, at the discretion of a supervisor, may be necessary. 

Communications will generally make emergency notifications at the direction of the on-duty field or investigative supervisors.

To identify key Department personnel necessary for ensuring continuous police service to the community and provide transportation for them during natural disasters, severe weather conditions and other exceptional circumstances which limit the ability to report for duty.
 

CALEA Standards 41.2.1; 46.1.2; 46.1.8; 61.3.1; 61.3.2; 81.3.1
 

The following personnel are considered key personnel in the context of the Emergency Relief Plan and are included in the transportation program of the plan.

Patrol Bureau

• Division Commander(s)
• Assigned oncoming Watch Commander(s)
• Assigned oncoming Front Desk personnel
• Patrol Support Commander or one Sergeant from TEU/Explosives.
• Highest staffing level possible as determined by the on-duty Watch   Commanders.
• Traffic Commander or one Sergeant from Traffic

Communications Section

• Communications Manager 
• Minimum of two Public Safety Dispatchers working the Fire consoles
• Shift supervisor  
• Minimum of five four Emergency Response Technicians
• Minimum of five four Public Safety Dispatchers working the Police consoles

Records Section

• Section Commander
• One I.D. Technician I (detention system)
• One I.D. Technician II (Headquarters)

Investigations Bureau

• Major Persons Crimes Commander or one Sergeant
• Metro VNI Commander or one Lieutentant Lieutenant
• Special Services Commander or one Sergeant
• One investigator from each of the investigative units
• One civilian crime scene investigator

Department Staff

• All Deputy Chiefs

Information Technology Computer Services

• One computer technician

Others

• Public Information Officer

The following priority transportation list will be adhered to by on-duty supervisor when coordinating transportation requests:

• Patrol Bureau
• Communications
• Department Staff
• Investigations Bureau
• Records
• Computer Services
• Others

Key personnel, as defined in the Emergency Relief Plan, are responsible for notifying their Bureau, Division, Section or Unit supervisor, if available, of their need for transportation. That supervisor will then notify the appropriate on-duty supervisor, giving the employee's name and address. If the appropriate supervisor is not available, the employee will notify the on-duty Watch Commander directly.

The on-duty supervisor will coordinate the transportation program with the on-duty Communications supervisor.  Priority for transportation of off-duty personnel, from work assignments to their homes, will rank behind the transportation of oncoming personnel. No off-duty transportation will commence until the on-duty supervisors are satisfied that key personnel transportation is complete and adequate staffing levels have been met, unless it can be accomplished without significantly impacting the transportation of incoming personnel.
 

The Emergency Relief Plan authorizes on-duty supervisors to order the use of Department 4X4 vehicles for transportation purposes. No transportation, however, will be furnished for personnel who live outside the city limits, without the authorization of the Chief of Police or designee.

A list of all Department-owned 4X4 vehicles will be kept in the supervisor's office. If vehicles needed for the transportation program are stored at any location other than police facilities (e.g., the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport or an officer's home), the on-duty supervisor shall immediately take steps to have them moved to a central location for use as transportation vehicles. The Fleet Vehicle Coordinator shall be responsible for updating the vehicle list.
 

The following agencies or individuals can be called on to supplement the provisions of the Emergency Relief Plan. The decision to request outside assistance will be made by the Chief of Police, or designee, in conjunction with the on-duty supervisor.

1. Fort Carson can provide vehicles and drivers to assist in transportation or other needs. Contact the Captain or Sergeant Major of Military Police Operations, 526-0095. If no answer, contact through the Fort Carson Military Police Operations Desk, 526-2333.
2. The Colorado Mounted Rangers organization has access to tracked vehicles. Requests for their use should be made through the Director of Disaster Emergency Services Agency Office of Emergency Management.
3. Snowmobiles can be obtained through snowmobile clubs.  (598-1219).
   Drivers will be furnished with each snowmobile.

To guide personnel in using the police radio communications system in order to ensure effective and efficient command and control of police resources and to maximize employee safety.
 

G.O. 962, Vehicles: Emergency Operation
G.O. 965, Vehicles: Pursuits
G.O. 315, Response to Crimes in Progress
G.O. 110, Emergency Notifications
G.O. 1510, Criminal Records Information
G.O. 975, Mobile Computer Procedures
CALEA Standards 12.1.3; 72.4.9; 81.2.5; 81.2.9; 81.3.1; 81.3.4
 

The purpose of the radio communications system is to direct deployment to meet the needs of any situation, to facilitate coordination, to inform Department personnel of situations and responses, and to assure them that all appropriate resources will be used. The Department's communications protocols are based upon the use of disciplined clear speech, which is the clearest and most efficient means of communicating.
 

All instructions or orders from Communications shall be accepted as if they had been issued personally by the Chief of Police. All such orders or instructions shall be followed, and attempts to resolve disputes arising from them shall be reserved until after completion of the assignments.
 

Talkgroups:  A set of Trunked Radio system users who communicate with each other. For purposes of discussion, a talkgroup is synonymous to a radio channel.

Radio ID:  The internal numeric identifier in every radio operating on a Trunked Radio system.  This identifier is transmitted to the system controller with each transmission, so that the radio can be linked to all other radios programmed with the same talkgroup.  The Radio ID can be displayed as an alias, (i.e., Division, Section, the name and IBM number of the person assigned the radio).

Individual Call Sign:  The personal radio designator for each radio user on the Department not assigned a permanent Unit designator.  An Individual Call Sign is comprised of the prefix "PD" and the member's IBM number.
 

A Department employee will use the Trunked Radio "Emergency Alert" button on their radio to indicate duress when use of clear communication is prohibited by the nature of the situation (for example, the employee is in immediate need of assistance and cannot otherwise communicate the need).  Note: The Emergency Alert function produces an audible tone on the user's radio when activated.  Covert use of this function is limited in a hostage situation.

If performing departmental functions outside his/her normal duty assignment (for example, extra-duty assignments), the employee will use their individual call sign or the designated call sign for a specific assignment when appropriate.
 

See G.O. 965, Vehicles: Pursuits
 

The following codes and phrases shall be used, when applicable, in local radio transmissions:

Officer Needs Help--This emergency call shall be broadcast when immediate aid is needed by an officer. The officer requesting shall include the location followed, if possible, by the unit identification and all other pertinent information.  This emergency call may also be made by activation of the Emergency Alert button on the Trunked radio.  A specific unit shall be dispatched "Code Three" and other available units in the vicinity shall respond "Code Two." An "Officer Needs Help" call shall be broadcast when "emergency assistance" is needed.

In the event of an accidental activation of the Emergency Alert button, the member will immediately advise the dispatcher on the air that they are not experiencing any problem or emergency by giving a Code Four.  The member is to then advise the dispatcher that they are going to clear the Alert on their radio.  To clear the Emergency Alert status on a Trunked radio the Emergency Alert button is pressed for three (3) seconds and then released.  A medium-pitched tone sounds until the button is released and the radio returns to normal operation.

Officer Needs Assistance--This emergency call shall be broadcast when additional aid is needed by an officer. The officer requesting shall include the location, followed by the unit identification and all other pertinent information, including the reason for request. A specific unit shall be dispatched "Code Two" and other available units in the vicinity shall respond when practicable.

Fireman Needs Help--This emergency call shall be broadcast when immediate police assistance is needed because firemen are being attacked, attack is imminent, or some other emergency exists. This emergency call may also be made by activation of the Emergency Alert button on the Trunked radio.  A specific unit shall be dispatched "Code Three" and other available units in the vicinity shall respond "Code Two."

Fireman Needs Assistance--This call shall be broadcast when police assistance is needed because of hostile crowd action or some other incident. A specific unit shall be dispatched "Code Two," and other available units in the vicinity shall respond "Code Two."

Code One--This call may be issued by the dispatcher or a field unit informing all units to stand by--"To Stop Transmitting And Listen."

Code Two--Most calls will require a "Code Two" response. Officers will proceed to a "Code Two" call in accordance with all the provisions of this Manual, the Code of the City of Colorado Springs, and the Colorado Motor Vehicle Laws. Briefly, a "Code Two" response is when a Department vehicle is operated in compliance with all the rules of the road. The only time exemptions are granted for adherence to the rules of the road is during a "Code Three" response.

Code Three--A radio call accompanied by a "Code Three" designation is an emergency call. It shall be answered immediately, but in a manner that will enable the unit to reach the scene as quickly as possible with safety. The red light and siren shall be used whenever it is necessary to disregard provisions of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs and the Colorado Motor Vehicle Laws. 

A call may justify a "Code Three" for any reason listed below:

• A serious public hazard.
• The preservation of life.
• A crime of violence in progress.
• The prevention of a crime of violence.
• An immediate pursuit.
• Any unit requests another unit "Code Three."

The final decision for the use of "Code Three," other than in response to a directed radio call or a field supervisor's authority, shall be made by the vehicle operator.

An officer shall immediately broadcast his/her intention to proceed "Code Three" when the decision is based on anything other than a directed police radio call. The "Code Three" broadcast shall include the nature and location of the activity and, when known, the starting point, route of travel, and destination.

When the "Code Three" has been terminated, the officer shall notify Communications as soon as is practical.

When more than one unit is "Code Three" in the same general area, they shall be notified by Communications that units are "Code Three" in the vicinity. No more than one vehicle shall be operated "Code Three" in any single incident, except with supervisory approval.

Code Four--Will be used to indicate a situation is secured; sufficient units are on hand for the situation; or assistance is not needed. Units which are not at the scene shall return to their assigned patrol area when a "Code Four" is broadcast.

Code Five--When a one-man unit receives a "Code Five" in answer to a request for information on a suspect, the officer shall place himself/herself in a position of advantage and wait for assistance. Communications will wait for the officer's request before broadcasting the information. Once control is established, the officer can choose to request the information or to wait until another unit arrives before doing so. When a "Code Five" is received by a two-man unit, the officers shall immediately place themselves in positions of advantage over the suspect. When control is obtained, the unit shall request the want/warrant information from Communications.

Code Five M--Indicates that the "want" is for a misdemeanor offense.

Code Five F--Indicates that the "want" is for a felony offense.

Code Five AD--Indicates a "want" is for an offense and the person should be considered armed and dangerous.

Code Six--Used by field units to advise the dispatcher that they are busy and not available to respond to calls for service; reasons for being busy and the location of the unit will be given.

Code Seven--Used to request meal times and coffee breaks. After receiving clearance for a "Code Seven" the requesting unit will give his/her location and will remain reachable by radio during the break.

Code Eight--Indicates a burglary or robbery alarm. Dispatchers will indicate whether the alarm is audible or silent and, if available, the exact location of the alarm, i.e., drive-up window, main building, branch office, etc.

Code Nine--Indicates a possible homicide, as opposed to a dead body (DB).

Code Twelve--Indicates an area is under temporary surveillance. All units shall avoid the vicinity except in an emergency or in response to a call.

Code Fifteen--Indicates that transactions on a particular channel are limited to calls for service only.

Code Seventeen--SHO/DI, indicates a juvenile serious habitual offender. Officers are encouraged to take formal action if circumstances permit. If no formal criminal action, FIR is required to alert the Crime Analysis Unit of the contact.

Code Twenty--Request for emergency assistance when the use of clear speech will cause an undesirable reaction from the person(s) with whom the officer is in contact. Basic Response Team is dispatched immediately.
 

The following phonetic alphabet is to be used in radio transmissions:

A -- ADAM         G -- GEORGE    M -- MARY        S -- SAM 
B -- BAKER       H -- HENRY        N -- NANCY      T -- TOM  
C -- CHARLES    I -- IDA              O -- OCEAN      U -- UNION 
D -- DAVID         J -- JOHN           P -- PAUL         V -- VICTOR 
E -- EDWARD    K -- KING           Q -- QUEEN      W -- WILLIAM 
F -- FRANK        L -- LINCOLN      R -- ROBERT     X -- X-RAY
Y-- YOUNG        Z-- ZEB
 

The following procedures shall apply to the dispatching of Department vehicles.
 

Officers shall not respond to calls assigned to other units. If a dispatcher requests the location of Department vehicles in the immediate vicinity of a call requiring immediate attention, any officer in that vicinity shall reply and stand by until cleared to proceed to that call.

It may be necessary for officers to be dispatched to calls for service late in their shift. Officers receiving a call near the end of a tour of duty shall be responsible for properly completing the call, except when specifically relieved of that call by a supervisor or officer from an oncoming shift.

No overtime approval will be needed for Priority One calls for service that carry over a tour of duty. Should overtime be required for other calls for service, the officer is responsible to obtain overtime approval from an on-duty supervisor. At the discretion of the dispatcher, Officers shall be dispatched to calls for service up to thirty (30) minutes prior to the end of their tour of duty . Officers receiving a call near the end of a tour of duty shall be responsible for properly completing the call, except when specifically relieved of that call by an officer from an oncoming shift.
 

Upon arrival at the location of a dispatched call, officers shall properly inform the dispatcher of their arrival.
 

Upon completing an assignment or call, Department personnel shall notify the dispatcher, giving a description of the action taken and the address(es) involved.
 

Neither field personnel nor dispatchers shall assume that their transmission has been received until a proper acknowledgment is received. After a reasonable pause, transmissions should be repeated until acknowledged.
 

Personnel are to use the MDC, (G.O. 975.28) as their primary means for determining, and confirming, wants on persons, vehicles, or items.

To determine if persons, vehicles, other items, etc., are wanted, personnel are to use the MDC, (G.O. 975 .28 ) as their primary means for obtaining this information. 

If an MDC is unavailable, the following information must be provided to the NCIC operator in Records and ID, or to the Communications for a dispatcher, if the NCIC operator is unavailable:  to be able to obtain this information.
Persons: Name, date of birth.

• Vehicles: License number and state of issuance or vehicle identification number.
• Other Articles: Item description, brand, serial number.

If the officer needs information on an extensive list of items, persons, etc., a telephone call should be placed directly to the Records Section. Radio channels should be used only if telephone contact is not possible.
 

The radio shall not be used for routine transmission of criminal history information.  Criminal history information is protected under various federal and state laws and can only be broadcast over the radio in the following situations:

1. When there is a situation affecting the safety of a law enforcement officer or the general public.
2. When a law enforcement officer determines that in order to further the investigation, an immediate need for the information is required.

Absent either of the above situations, all criminal history information shall be requested from personnel authorized to obtain such information and the requests shall be made in person or by phone or MDC (General Order 975).
 

When Communications personnel receive information of a felony crime of violence (i.e., armed robberies with suspect vehicle information, serious assaults with suspect or suspect vehicle information, etc.), information will be directed to Colorado law enforcement agencies by a State Teletype "Be On the Lookout" (BOLO) via the NCIC operator.  This will be followed up by telephone calls to appropriate adjoining agencies as circumstances permit.

The information on a crime and/or suspect must be sent to adjoining agencies as soon as possible after the Colorado Springs Police Department determines a crime has taken place and sufficient information is available to alert outside agencies of the crime.

Suspect and additional information may be sent as an update to the original State Teletype BOLO.
 

If an officer who is required to be in radio contact with Communications (i.e., Patrol Units, etc.) fails to respond to a radio call and has not arrived at the scene of a call or notified Communications that she/he will be out of radio contact, these procedures will be followed:  See General Order 975 .

Each time a radio call for that unit is made the time shall be recorded.

Attempts to call the unit shall continue for fifteen minutes after the first missed call.  The dispatcher will use the Private Call function of the Trunked radio system to attempt direct radio contact with the officer's issued portable radio.

After the fifteen minute lapse, the Communications appropriate Supervisor, the appropriate Patrol Supervisor or supervisor or Command Officer shall be notified in order that the proper procedures be initiated to locate the missing officer(s).

When a missing officer is located, the Patrol Sergeant will ascertain why the officer was not available and report the findings either orally or in writing to the Watch Commander.  The Watch Commander may take immediate action which is appropriate and authorized, or may forward the report for action by the Division Commander.

The involved supervisor or Command Officer shall attach the list of recorded call times to the memorandum to assist in determining if disciplinary action is warranted.
 

Portable radio units are intended to provide mobility and security.  Portable units, and pager units are the responsibility of the person to whom the unit is issued or assigned. Damage to units through neglect or abuse is the responsibility of that person.

Portable units are to be used only for police functions and are not to be used in any manner that violates this purpose or contributes to neglect of duty.  In the event of an emergency, when a member is unable or prevented from using a Department radio, the mature family members or significant other of the officer are authorized to advise the Communications Section of the emergency.  The family members, spouse or significant other who need to use an officer's radio in an emergency are to use the officer's Individual Call Sign adding a suffix "F" to identify themselves.  It is the officer's responsibility to instruct family members in the proper use of the radio, including the identifying call sign.

Use of check-out units must be cleared with the appropriate authority before use (generally, the on-duty Supervisor.)
 

G. O. 190 Communications and Reports: Direct Line Reporting (DLR)
CALEA Standards 81.2.14; 82.2.2
 

TeleServe will take the following types of reports, or report supplements about events that are not in-progess and that have ing no known suspect, no suspect information, and no physical evidence present:

• All bicycle thefts (including those taken from structures)
• Lost or stolen articles (purse, wallets, etc.)
• Criminal mischief (MM's)
• Obscene or harassing phone calls (when victim is in no immediate
  danger)
• Theft of auto parts (regardless of monetary amount)
• Theft from Vehicle
• Thefts
• Miscellaneous insurance reports
• Supplemental information to existing reports

Reports and supplements will be taken by TeleServe, as previously listed, unless any of the following exceptions exist:

• Unusual circumstances exist that require a field investigation
• The victim requests a police officer
• An officer has been dispatched to the scene
• When the The crime is reported to a police officer in person by the victim
• There is a known suspect, the suspect is present, the crime is in progress
  or physical evidence is present
• Theft cases having a loss of $10,000 or more
• Gas skips when the victim can make a positive identification
• The offense is directly related to a labor dispute
• The offense has racial, ethnic or religious connotations

To specify criteria and procedures for taking and submitting offense reports.
 

SOP P1-62, Criminal Offense Exceptions
CALEA Standards 1.2.8; 71.1.7; 82.2.1; 82.2.2
 

Officers shall make all required reports promptly, accurately and completely.
 

Officers will complete and submit reports in accordance with the following criteria:

Felonies: All incidents involving an actual or suspected felony offense will be reported regardless of whether any enforcement or investigative action is taken or anticipated.

Misdemeanors/Petty Offenses: Violations involving a misdemeanor or petty offense will be reported whenever any enforcement or investigative action is taken, or anticipated, or when necessary to justify a lack of enforcement or investigative action.

Special Exception--Indecent Exposure: All incidents involving an indecent exposure violation will be reported, regardless of whether any enforcement or investigative action is taken or anticipated.

Incidents that are unfounded, or do not normally require a report, need not be reported. However, the officer making the decision not to report such an incident may be required to justify the decision to higher authority.  An easy guide to determine if a report needs to be submitted is, "When in doubt, report it."
 

All reports, except those authorized delayed by a field supervisor or Division Lieutenant, will be submitted before going off duty. All reports will be completed before starting days off.

Officers failing to submit reports on time will be subject to disciplinary action. Following are guidelines:

• First failure will be cause for a written reprimand.
• Second failure within one year will be cause for a day's pay to be forfeited.
• On subsequent occasions when an officer fails to turn in reports, the officer shall forfeit additional days' pay.

Patrol officers, and certain other persons, are issued tape recorders for dictating reports during uncommitted time. This permits officers to remain in their vehicles and be available for assignment while completing lengthy narrative reports. Brief supplements should be handwritten to improve expediency.

Face sheets and property descriptor forms will be handwritten, as will brief narratives. Recorders are the responsibility of the person to whom they are assigned, and should be returned to Supply with an explanatory memorandum if they are damaged or inoperable.
 

G.O. 520 Juveniles
G.O. 540 Mentally Ill Person
S.O.P. I4 - 520 Processing Pick Up Forms
S.O.P. I4 - 362 Computer Entry / Cancellation of Missing Persons
S.O.P. I4 - 361 NCIC Validation List
S.O.P. I4 - 345 Verification of Computer Entries
S.O.P. I4 - 307 NCIC / CCIC / NLETS Message Switching
S.O.P. P1 - 15 Police Service Representatives
S.O.P. P1 - 25 Runaway / Missing Person Reports
NCIC Operations Manual, Part 8, Section 1 -- Missing Person File

The basic legal issue in most missing persons cases is that it is not against the law for an adult to be absent without explanation.  If a person is voluntarily absent, he/she is legally entitled to his/her privacy.  Said another way, competent adults (those age 18 years or over) may choose to disappear if they wish.  In our society adults are free to make what others would consider to be bad decisions.  They can choose to leave home with no advanced warning, to abandon their jobs, ignore friends, and even cut all ties with family members. 

Even if a law enforcement agency were to locate the person, it could not divulge any private information about the person (such as the person's location) without specific permission from that person.  This is because in In some cases persons who are voluntarily absent may have a valid reason for this such as fleeing from an abusive relationship.

As a result, rules of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) regulate the entry of "wants" into that nationwide computer system for missing persons.  These rules prohibit the entry of a person into the NCIC/CCIC "missing persons files" unless the person is a juvenile missing without parental permission, or is an adult who is missing and endangered, or is a person believed to be involuntarily missing such as a victim of abduction or other foul play.  (Reference:  NCIC Operations Manual, Part 8, Section 1.1)

Further, the Police Department has an obligation to attempt to locate adults who have disappeared under mysterious circumstances and may be endangered or the victims of foul play. 

The purpose of this General Order is to attempt to strike a balance between these factors.
 

For the purpose of this policy only, the term “adult” shall include juveniles who are legally emancipated by marriage, military service, or order of a Court of competent jurisdiction. 

Normally, missing persons reports must be made in person at the police facility because these reports must be signed.   Exceptions to this requirement must be approved by an on-duty lieutenant or his/her acting designee.  Missing person reports shall be made on forms approved by the State of Colorado for this purpose. 

There is no required waiting period to report a person is missing.  What is required is that there is sufficient evidence that the person is truly missing before a report is made (not just unexpectedly late or known to be voluntarily absent).  Additionally, there must be some nexus between the missing person and the City of Colorado Springs (e.g. the person resides here and is missing; the person was traveling in Colorado Springs and is missing, etc.)

The Police Department will vary the investigative response to a report of a missing person based upon facts in the case.  The three basic categories for which a missing person report will be accepted are:

1.         Competent adults who are suddenly absent (missing) without explanation and because of the circumstances it cannot be safely determined that this is voluntary and that individual is not in danger.  Thus, it would seem prudent to confirm that the individual is safe. 

§         This would include situations where the missing person has not contacted the reporting party after he/she left and there was no prior indication that they would leave, etc. 

2.        Incompetent adults or others who are missing and are thereby endangered