Washington State - Statewide Amber Plan
Law Enforcement Operating Procedure
- After local law enforcement officials determine an abduction has occurred (please refer to the Amber Plan checklist in Addendum A), they should notify the WSP Communications Center serving their area and provide them with the key information. The abducted child must be under 18 years of age and in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death. The WSP will confirm the accuracy of the information and contact the Emergency Management Division and the Department of Transportation.
- As additional information presents itself, including photographs, the local law enforcement agency will disseminate the pertinent information to participating television and radio stations through their standard public information process. The affected law enforcement agency may also request the Washington State Patrol disseminate the information via their public information officer network.
- Local law enforcement agencies should utilize their established procedures for providing information to the public. Utilizing their pre-established public information officer is one resource.
- The Washington State Attorney General's Office HITS Unit (Homicide Information and Tracking System) "1-800-345-2793 or (206) 464-6286" may be contacted to disseminate electronic bulletins, including photographs, to law enforcement investigators and agencies statewide.
- Local law enforcement agencies should utilize their established procedures for providing information to the public. Utilizing their pre-established public information officer is one resource.
- Broadcast media will be asked to broadcast public service announcements at least every 30 minutes for the first two hours and once every hour for the next 3 hours.
Recovery of Abducted Child
Upon closure of the child abduction case, immediately notify the WSP Communications Center to cancel the alert.
Activation Criteria
- A child has been taken and the incident is reported to law enforcement.
- The abducted child must be under 18 years of age.
- Law enforcement must believe the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death.
- There must be enough descriptive information to believe a broadcast will assist in the recovery of the child.
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