SOP-SSD-3 Amber Alert SystemTechnical Services Division
SOP-TSD-3
Date Issued: July 21, 2011
SUBJECT: AMBER ALERT SYSTEM
BACKGROUND: America’s Missing Broadcast Emergency Response Alert is a program that partners
California’s law enforcement community, media broadcasting agencies, and the public in locating
abducted children.
PURPOSE AND SCOPE: To provide the public with immediate information about a child abduction via
widespread media broadcasts and to solicit help from the public in the safe and swift return of the child.
PROCEDURE:
A. CONDITIONS THAT MUST BE MET FOR ACTIVATION OF AN AMBER ALERT:
1. There is a confirmed abduction (e.g., witness verification, alternative explanations
for a child’s absence eliminated).
2. The victim is 17 years of age or younger, or an individual with a proven mental or
physical disability.
3. The child is imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death.
4. Information is available that, if disseminated to the general public, could assist in
the safe recovery of the victim (vehicle information is not a requirement to activate
an AMBER Alert).
B. Sergeant/Watch Commander Responsibilities:
1. In accordance with Section 8594.5 of the CA Government Code, “an authorized
person at a law enforcement agency that is investigating the above described
offense”, can request the issuance of an AMBER Alert if all of the above four
conditions are met.
C. Dispatch Responsibilities:
1. Provide the Sergeant/Watch Commander with the CHP Emergency Notification and
Tactical Alert Center (ENTAC) number at (916)843-4199. This is a 24/7 point-of-
contact number for law enforcement agencies. ENTAC email is: entac@chp.ca.gov.
CHP will input the information into their (EDIS) Emergency Digital Information
Service system as their primary means to distribute the AMBER Alert information.
2. If the suspect is apprehended or the child is located, dispatch will contact ENTAC
and advise them to cancel the AMBER Alert.
D. Cases Not Meeting the AMBER Alert Criteria:
1. Runaways.
2. A juvenile is reported missing and there is no indication or confirmation that an
abduction occurred.
3. Missing children in which there is no evidence of foul play or the child is not in
imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death.
4. Custody disputes where the child’s life or physical health is not reasonably believed
to be in imminent danger.
5. A custodial parent takes their child and due to specific circumstances, the
investigating agency deems the child to be at-risk or endangered.
In these above cases that do not meet the AMBER Alert requirements, alternate means of disseminating
information can be used; i.e., Critical Reach Flyers, BOL’s, etc.