In child abductions, getting critical information out to as many people as possible as fast as possible is the best way to help bring about the child’s safe and swift return.

BCA issues Amber Alerts

The BCA has sole discretion to issue Amber Alerts.

Requesting an Amber Alert Broadcast

To request an Amber Alert Broadcast the following criteria must be met:

1. The missing child is a victim of an abduction (parental or non-parental) or a runaway, and is 17 years of age or younger.

2. The child is believed to be in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death.
3. There is information available to disseminate to the general public, which could assist with the safe recovery of the victim or the apprehension of the suspect.
4. The missing child has been entered in NCIC.

Activating the MN Crime Alert Network

In cases where Amber Alert criteria are not met but the general public, other law enforcement agencies, businesses and the media could assist in locating the missing individual, the MN Crime Alert Network (MNCAN) may be activated. To request activation of the MCCAN officers should contact the BCA.

Notify supervisor and begin search

In instances when an Amber Alert may be warranted, officers shall notify their supervisor and begin an immediate search for the missing child.

Notify Watch Commander or Car 710

If it is immediately known that all criteria for an Amber Alert are met, the on-scene supervisor shall notify the Watch Commander or Car 710. The Watch Commander or Car 710 will decide if an Amber Alert Broadcast should be requested, and shall coordinate departmental notifications.

Contact BCA

To request an Amber Alert, a supervisor shall contact the BCA Communications Center at 651-793-7000 and request an Amber Alert Broadcast, providing the following information:

• When and where the child was abducted
• Description of child
• Description of abductor
• Description of vehicle, if involved
• Last known direction of travel
• If there is reason to believe the suspect has a relationship to the victim
• Number to contact for general information or questions
• NCIC number

The Minneapolis Police Department is committed to reducing youth violence through a number of measures, including curfew enforcement.

The City of Minneapolis has adopted the Countywide Curfew Ordinance #16.

Under Age 10

1. Curfew violators under the age of 10 shall be taken into custody if a parent or legal guardian cannot be located.

2. Officers shall contact First Response to determine where the child will be placed.
3. All juveniles under 10 who are stopped for curfew shall not be listed as Arrested Persons.

Over Age 10

1. Curfew violators over the age of 10 may be issued a Juvenile Citation and released to a parent or legal guardian.

2. If the juvenile cannot be released to a parent or legal guardian, the juvenile shall be transported to the Youth Connection Center.
3. When a juvenile is cited for curfew violation, officers shall complete a Police Report with the code CURFEW, and document to whom the juvenile was released.

Policy

Juveniles detained for truancy offenses shall be delivered to the assigned School Resource Officer (SRO) or to a school staffer, when possible; otherwise, juveniles detained for truancy offenses shall be taken to the Youth Connection Center.

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for placing health and welfare holds on juveniles.

Situations involving juveniles in crisis

1. Situations involving juveniles in crisis shall be handled in accordance with P&P 7-803, including the potential need for a Transport Hold.

2. Health and Welfare 72-Hour Holds are distinct from Transport Holds for individuals in crisis. If a child or juvenile in crisis is going to be transported in accordance with the section in P&P 7-803 on Transportation for Emergency Admission, and is found in surroundings or conditions meeting the criteria of MN Statute section 260C.175, determinations for a Health and Welfare Hold will have to be made at the health care facility.

Officer responsibility

1. The decision to place a child on a Health and Welfare 72-hour Hold is solely the responsibility of the officer placing the hold. MN Statute section 260C.175 allows only a peace officer or judge (via court order), to take a child into immediate custody “when a child is found in surroundings or conditions which endanger the child’s health or welfare, or which such peace officer reasonably believes will endanger the child's health or welfare.”

2. Social workers may only request that a child is placed on a Health and Welfare Hold. Officers dispatched to place a child on a Health and Welfare Hold at the request of medical personnel or social services shall document the circumstances, surroundings, or conditions which necessitate the hold be placed. This must be done to ensure that the hold is legal.

Decision not based on cooperation

The decision to place a Health and Welfare Hold on a child shall not be based upon a parent or legal guardian’s cooperation (or lack of) with any police investigation.

List of Child Welfare Services

MN Statute section 260C.175 mandates that whenever a law enforcement officer takes a child into custody in regard to a health and welfare hold, the officer must provide the parent or legal guardian a list of social service agencies that offer child welfare services. If the parent or legal guardian is not present, a copy of the “Rights as Parents” brochure shall be left in a conspicuous location on the premises. This brochure is available in multiple languages on the MPD’s intranet site.

Hold Process

If officers determine it is necessary to place a Health and Welfare Hold on a child, the following procedures shall be followed:

Complete Hold Notice

1. Complete the Notice of 72-Hour Police Health and Welfare Hold (HC 12434).

2. When a child is admitted to a hospital for care, a copy of the 72-Hour Hold shall be left in an envelope with the child’s chart. Officers should complete the 72-Hour Hold by listing “HCMC” (or other local hospital name) and the Children and Family Services coordination center as the receiving facility in order to avoid the need for a separate 72-Hour Hold to be completed.
3. The blue copy or printout of the electronic version of the 72-Hour Hold shall be forwarded to First Response at the 4th Precinct and the canary copy of the 72-Hour Hold shall be forwarded to the Crimes Against Children unit.

Provide Notice and Resource List to Parent or Guardian

The copy of the “brochure” listing of social service agencies and the pink copy or printout of the electronic version of the 72-Hour Hold shall be given to the parent or guardian or posted conspicuously in the home if the parent or guardian is not available. Officers shall document in the Police Report where the notices were left.

Contact CPS

1. Contact Child Protection Services Intake at 612-348-3552 to advise the hold and to receive information regarding the transport destination.

2. CPS staff will determine whether the child will be transported or if a Rapid Response CPS staff member will respond to the scene and take custody of the child to process the hold (response time is generally within an hour).
3. If the child will be transported, CPS staff will let the officer know where to bring the child (such as an out-of-home placement or a family placement per an investigation).
4. If the officer is unable to reach CPS, or CPS could not find a suitable transport destination, the child should be transported to the Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s hospital.

Transports to Hospital

Transport for medical attention

1. If the child requires medical attention or a medical assessment, officers shall transport the child to Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) whenever possible, using an ambulance if necessary. If the child is transported via ambulance, an officer shall accompany the child in the ambulance.

2. An officer shall stay with the child at the hospital until relieved by an investigator from the Crimes Against Children unit or Car 710.

Transport due to neglect or unsafe surroundings

If a child must be transported to a hospital because the officer could not reach CPS or CPS could not find a suitable destination, and the child cannot safely care for themselves in the current surroundings, the officer should transport the child to the Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s hospital.

Form completion

In accordance with the section on completing the Hold Notice, the officer shall list both the hospital and the Children and Family Services coordination center as the receiving facility in order to avoid the need for a separate 72-Hour Hold to be completed. A copy of the form shall be left with the child’s chart.

Contact MECC

Contact MECC and provide the nature of the incident and the location where the child is being transported to help prevent a Missing Juvenile Report from being filed when not appropriate.

Complete a Report

Police Report with the code HLTWEL shall be completed. Officers shall articulate the reasons for the Health and Welfare Hold and state what crime was committed: neglect, medical neglect, child endangerment, criminal sexual conduct, malicious punishment or deprivation of parental rights.

Releasing the Hold

1. The “police hold” can be released before the 72-hour period expires.

2. The procedure is for First Response to request that the hold be removed by contacting the Crimes Against Children unit.
3. During the hours that the Crimes Against Children unit is not staffed, this request may be made to Car 710.

Policy

1. Any parent or legal guardian being arrested has the option to designate a caregiver for their child(ren) while they are in custody except in those cases where juveniles are found in surroundings or conditions that endanger their health or welfare. If a caregiver is identified, officers shall allow a reasonable amount of time to conduct a temporary custody transfer of the child(ren). Officers are not required to transport the child(ren) to another location.

2. Officers shall complete the MPD Transfer of Child Custody form (MP-9048) and identify the child(ren) and caregiver in the corresponding Police Report. Copies of the Transfer of Child Custody form shall be distributed as indicated on the form.
3. If the parent or legal guardian does not designate a caregiver, officers will complete a Health and Welfare Hold. Officers shall complete a 72-Hour Hold and indicate on that form that the child(ren) can be released to the parents or other suitable person. Officers will also indicate that the transfer was declined on the MPD Transfer of Custody form. Copies of the 72-Hour Hold and the MPD Temporary Transfer of Custody form shall be distributed as indicated on the forms.
4. Officers may refuse to transfer custody of the child(ren) to the caregiver if there are articulable circumstances which may place the child(ren) at risk. Officers shall document these circumstances in the corresponding Police Report.

The purpose of this policy is to establish the actions to be taken upon discovery of a lost or abandoned child.

Found Child

1. Officers shall immediately contact MECC upon finding a child who would be considered lost.

2. If MECC receives a report of a found child, a squad shall respond to recover the child.
3. If the child’s parent or legal guardian is unable to be located or the home address is not known, officers shall contact First Response.

Abandoned Child

1. Upon discovering an abandoned child (in a location where the child was expected to be), officers must use discretion and consider the totality of the circumstances in deciding what actions to take.

2. If the parent or legal guardian cannot be located, officers shall contact First Response.

Health and Welfare Hold

Should officers become aware of underlying circumstances which necessitate placing the child on a 72-hour Health and Welfare Hold, officers shall place the hold in accordance with P&P 8-205 Health and Welfare Holds for Juveniles.

Policy

1. Adults arrested for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (a Gross Misdemeanor) shall be booked HCJ. The Police Report will be routed to the Juvenile Investigations unit for follow-up and referral to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Juvenile Prosecution Division.

2. Officers arresting a juvenile for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor shall refer to procedures outlined in P&P 8-303 Juvenile Gross Misdemeanor, Felony and Domestic Assault Arrest Procedures.
3. The report code for Contributing to the Delinquency of Minors is CONDEL.

Policy

1. When any child being transported by MPD is both under the age of eight and shorter than four feet nine inches, the child shall be transported and properly fastened in a child passenger restraint system (car seat) meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards (in accordance with MN Statute section 169.685).

1. When an incident requires transportation in an MPD vehicle (regardless of the destination) of a child who is both under the age of eight and shorter than four feet nine inches, the officer shall notify a supervisor.

2. The supervisor who receives notification shall arrange for a response to the scene with the appropriate child passenger restraint system (car seat) and a vehicle equipped to safely secure the system according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. If an emergency requires transportation of a child meeting the stated criteria and a child passenger restraint system (car seat) and appropriate vehicle are not available, the child must be secured using a seat belt.
3. Any employee transporting a child in an MPD vehicle shall document the transport in a supplement if a Police Report is being made for the incident. If no Police Report will be made, the employee shall document the transport in CAD via added remarks to the call. The documentation shall include:

• Where the child was transported from
• Where the child was transported to
• The age and approximate height of the child
• Whether the child was secured with a child passenger restraint system (car seat) or a seat belt
• If the child met the criteria for a car seat but was secured with a seat belt, what the emergency was that required transportation without the car seat and appropriate vehicle

• Abandoned Child: Any child left alone long enough to come to the attention of police, and children left with a baby-sitter past the agreed upon return time of the parents, may be considered abandoned. An abandoned child is present in their expected location, but without the expected supervision.
• Amber Alert: Utilizes the State's Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Minnesota Crime Alert Network (MNCAN). It allows law enforcement agencies to collaborate with local broadcasters through the use of an early-warning system to alert the public when a child is in danger.
• Bodily Harm: Physical pain or injury, illness, or any impairment of physical condition.
• CIC: CIC is the code, which stands for "Crisis Intervention Call," used on a Police Report for situations involving a transport hold, and when a Police Report is completed in other situations involving a person in crisis.
• Confidential Informant:

  A person who cooperates with a law enforcement agency confidentially in order to protect the person or the MPD’s intelligence gathering or investigative efforts, and:

  1. Seeks to:
     1. Avoid arrest or prosecution for a crime; or
     2. Mitigate punishment for a crime in which a sentence will be or has been imposed; or
     3. Receive a monetary or other benefit;
  2. Is able, by reason of the person’s familiarity or close association with suspected criminals, to:
     1. Make a controlled buy or controlled sale of contraband, controlled substance, or other items that are material to a criminal investigation;
     2. Supply regular or constant information about suspected or actual criminal activities to a law enforcement agency;
     3. Otherwise provide information important to ongoing criminal intelligence gathering or criminal investigative efforts.
• Crisis: An event or situation where a person's safety and health may be threatened by behavioral health challenges, to include mental health conditions, intellectual or developmental disabilities, substance use, or overwhelming stressors. A crisis can involve a person's perception or experience of an event or situation as an intolerable difficulty that exceeds the person's current resources and coping mechanisms and may include unusual stress in their life that renders the person unable to function as they normally would.
• First Response: First Response (Community Based First Response) social workers are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. First Response handles emergency shelter placements, telephone assessments of families in crisis and takes child & adult protection reports.
• Incident Commander:

  The Incident Commander (IC) is the first officer or supervisor to arrive on the scene of a call for service where multiple units, scenes, or assisting agencies are dispatched. The Incident Commander has overall command of the incident, until properly relieved by a supervisor of higher rank if necessary, and will be based at the incident command post. The priorities of the Incident Commander include:

  1. Assess incident priorities.
  2. Determine strategic goals and tactical objectives, not related to the operations of SWAT or ESU personnel.
  3. Identify a staging area, if needed.
  4. Develop and implement incident action plan.
  5. Develop appropriate incident management structure.
  6. Assess resource needs.
  7. Coordinate overall on-scene emergency activities.
  8. Authorize information to be released to the media.
• Investigation: A structured process of gathering, examining, and evaluating facts and evidence to determine what occurred, assess compliance with laws and policies, and support appropriate actions or decisions.
• Investigators: All persons from the MPD Homicide unit and Internal Affairs unit who are conducting an investigation of the Critical Incident, unless other Criminal Investigating and Administrative Investigating Entities have been designated by the Chief of Police or their designee.
• Juvenile: An individual who is under the age of eighteen (18) years.
• Lead Investigator: The Investigator in charge of the criminal investigation or their designee at the scene. The Lead Investigator shall be from the MPD Homicide unit, unless otherwise designated.
• Luring:

  The act of Luring occurs when a person draws or leads or attempts to draw or lead a child away from:

  1. The supervision of the child’s parent, guardian or teacher without their consent,
  2. From the child’s planned route or destination.
• MECC: Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center is the city's 911 center that answers emergency and non-emergency calls and coordinates the appropriate response by public safety services.
• Medical Neglect: Medical neglect is the failure to provide appropriate health care for a child, thus placing the child at risk for serious disability, disfigurement or death. Concern is warranted not only when a parent/legal guardian refuses medical care for a child in an emergency or for an acute illness, but also when a parent/legal guardian ignores medical recommendations for a child with a treatable chronic disease or disability, resulting in frequent hospitalizations or significant deterioration.
• Missing Child:

  A person who is:

  • Younger than 18 years of age and
  • Whose whereabouts are unknown to the child’s parent, guardian or responsible party.
• National Crime Information Center: The National Crime Information Center database helps criminal justice professionals apprehend fugitives, locate missing persons, recover stolen property, and identify terrorists. It also assists law enforcement officers in performing their official duties more safely and provides them with information necessary to aid in protecting the general public.
• Parent/Legal Guardian: "Parent" means the birth or adoptive mother or father of a child and does not apply to a person whose parental rights have been terminated in relation to the child. A legal "guardian" is a person who has been appointed by a judge or social services agency, to take care of a minor child (to include foster parents).
• Police Report: A report or statement in a report that sets forth the officer's account of an incident and is entered into the MPD's Records Management System.
• Runaway: An unmarried child under the age of 18 years who is absent from the home of a parent or guardian or other lawful placement without the consent of the parent, guardian, or lawful custodian.
• School Resource Officer: SRO's are assigned to Minneapolis Public Schools and work together with school administrators, students, the Juvenile Unit, and the community to ensure school safety and security.
• Totality of the Circumstances: All facts known to the member at the time, including the conduct of both the member and the person leading up to the action (such as the use of force).
• Transport Hold: When a peace officer or health officer takes a person into custody and the person is transported to a hospital for emergency admission and held until they are evaluated, under the authority from MN Statute section 253B.051, Subd. 1.