GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: GENERAL OPERATIONS
TITLE: PUBLIC ALERTS
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF SCOTT BONNER
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PUBLIC ALERTS
317.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for alerting the public to important information and soliciting public aid when appropriate.
317.2 POLICY
Public alerts may be employed using the Emergency Alert System (EAS), local radio, television, and press organizations and other groups to notify the public of incidents, or enlist the aid of the public, when the exchange of information may enhance the safety of the community. Various types of alerts may be available based upon each situation and the alert system's individual criteria.
317.3 RESPONSIBILITIES
317.3.1 MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES
Members of the Lincoln Police Department should notify their supervisors, Watch Commander, or Criminal Investigations supervisor as soon as practicable upon learning of a situation where public notification, a warning, or enlisting the help of the media and the public could assist in locating a missing person, apprehending a dangerous person, or gathering information.
317.3.2 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
A supervisor apprised of the need for a public alert is responsible for making the appropriate notifications based upon the circumstances of each situation. The supervisor shall promptly notify the Chief of Police or his or her designee when any public alert is generated.
The supervisor in charge of the investigation to which the alert relates is responsible for:
(a) Updating alerts.
(b) Canceling alerts.
(c) Ensuring all appropriate reports are completed.
317.4 AMBER ALERTS™
AMBER Alerts™ are used to provide a statewide system for the rapid dissemination of information regarding abducted children.
317.4.1 CRITERIA
An AMBER Alert™ may be initiated when: ( https://al-ba.com/wp2/things-you-should-know-about-alabamas-amber-alert-plan/ )
(a) An officer reasonably believes that a child has been abducted as defined by 13A-6-40 Alabama Criminal Code, AND:
(b) The child is under 18 years old AND:
(c) An officer reasonably believes that the child is in danger of serious bodily harm or death, AND:
(d) Enough descriptive information is available about the child, abductor, and/or suspect vehicle to believe that an immediate alert will help.
(e) The child's name and abductor and other critical data elements have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system.
317.4.2 PROCEDURE
An AMBER Alert™, should be issued by:
(a) Calling the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).
(b) Prepare and transmit a facsimile or other requested written report to ALEA including relevant information such as a description of the abducted child, the suspect, and suspect's vehicle.
317.5 BLUE ALERTS
Blue Alerts are used to provide a statewide system for the rapid dissemination of information in cases involving death or serious injury of a peace officer (Ala. Code § 32-2-120).
317.5.1 CRITERIA
The following criteria are utilized to determine if a Blue Alert should be issued (Ala. Code § 32-2-120):
(a) A peace officer has been seriously injured or killed in the line of duty and:
An individual suspected to have caused the injury or death is at large.
The individual poses a serious threat to the public, other peace officers, or both.
(b) A peace officer has gone missing in the line of duty under circumstances warranting concern for the safety of the peace officer.
317.5.2 PROCEDURE
A Blue Alert should be issued by calling the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) (Ala. Code § 32-2-120).
317.6 MISSING AND ENDANGERED PERSONS ALERTS
Missing and Endangered Persons Alerts are used to provide a system for the rapid dissemination of information regarding persons confirmed by ALEA to be missing and endangered (Ala. Code § 26-19A-2).
317.6.1 CRITERIA
A Missing and Endangered Persons Alert may be requested when a person has been reported missing and (Ala. Code § 26-19A-4):
(a) There is a reasonable belief that the person is living with a mental or physical disability, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or autism and is at risk of bodily harm or death.
For persons living with a mental or physical disability, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or autism, a statement from a caregiver that the person lives with the disease is all that is needed to verify the person's condition.
(b) There is a reasonable belief that the abducted person is at risk of bodily harm or death (Ala. Code § 26-19A-2).
(c) There is sufficient descriptive information to believe that an alert would help locate the person.
317.6.2 PROCEDURE
A Missing and Endangered Persons Alert is activated by ALEA. The Lincoln Police Department should take steps to initiate an alert when a concerned party or caregiver has reported an individual missing by (Ala. Code § 26-19A-4; Ala. Code § 26-19A-5):
(a) Entering identifying and descriptive information about the missing and endangered person to the Alabama Center for Missing and Exploited Children and to the National Crime Information Center pursuant to Ala. Code § 26-19-7.
(b) Subsequently contacting ALEA.
317.7 HIAWAYI ROBINSON EMERGENCY MISSING CHILD ALERT
Hiawayi Robinson Emergency Missing Child Alerts are used to provide a statewide system for the rapid dissemination of information regarding missing children.
317.7.1 CRITERIA
A Hiawayi Robinson Emergency Missing Child Alert shall be initiated when (Ala. Code § 26-19B-3):
(a) An officer receives a report of a missing child under the age of 18 and every person accountable for the care of the child, including but not limited to parents, grandparents, other relatives, teachers, or other caregivers, have been contacted and confirms the whereabouts of the child is unknown.
(b) The child is believed to be in danger of serious bodily harm or death.
317.7.2 PROCEDURE
To initiate a Hiawayi Robinson Emergency Missing Child Alert, the member shall (Ala. Code § 26-19B-3; Ala. Code § 26-19B-4):
(a) Immediately request ALEA to issue an emergency missing child alert.
(b) Provide all pertinent information regarding the missing child to ALEA, including descriptions and photographs, for dissemination to the media and the public.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.
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