When a child gets kidnapped, every moment matters. That's why there are new recommendations to ensure a rapid response.
The Kansas Attorney General, Derek Schmidt, ordered the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to examine their procedures two months ago after a mistake led to an Amber Alert failure.
On Dec. 6, 2016, a Wichita mother and her three kids were robbed and kidnapped at gunpoint.
But many people never knew to look for them because after authorities issued the amber alert, they never sent out wireless alerts, which are the notifications that appear on smartphones.
The KBI blamed human error, saying a step was missed.
Fortunately, the mom and kids were found safe at a hotel. Police arrested five people in connection with the kidnapping.
The incident triggered Kansas to review its entire alert system.
With the help of Georgia law enforcement, the KBI came up with eight recommendations.
Identified Delays
- Recommendation 1: It is recommended that the KBI improve efforts to educate and train local law enforcement agencies. Training will continue to focus on the rapid and thorough response to suspected child abductions and on appropriate practices for Amber Alert issuance. Ongoing training of Kansas law enforcement should help minimize impactful delays when issuing an alert.
- Recommendation 2: It is recommended that local law enforcement agencies establish procedures that shorten their Amber Alert request process during the initial response to an abduction. Local agencies are encouraged to give the authority to request an Amber alert to officers on the scene to avoid multiple levels of command approval.
Policies and Procedures
- Recommendation: It is recommended that the procedural checklist be created and integrated into the operational procedure utilized when activating an Amber Alert.
Program Misperceptions
- Recommendation: It is recommended that an opportunity be extended to Kansas media partners to meet directly with KBI personnel to review Amber Alert processes and seek their input on program improvements. This effort will help establish greater understanding of the program’s complexities and may help alleviate misperceptions held by the media and public.
Amber Alert Advisory Board
- Recommendation: It is recommended that an Amber Alert advisory board be established consisting of seven members who meet annually to review all Amber alerts and to address programmatic concerns. This seven member board will consist of the Kansas Attorney General, the KBI Director, a designee appointed by the attorney general, a designee appointed by the KBI Director, two local law enforcement representatives, and a member of the broadcast media. The board would review the documents and circumstances associated with any issued alert or consultation. The board’s findings and recommendations would be documented and provided to the KBI for consideration.
Reliability of Systems
- Recommendation 1: Efforts must be focused on continually addressing technological advances that affect the program.
- Recommendation 2: It is recommended that the program seeks to implement the Technical Working Group (TWG) recommendations for currently available technological improvements to the Emergency Alert System.
- Recommendation 3: It is recommended that the TWG continue to meet and collaborate in solving technological issues. A meeting of the group will be called at least annually.
In a statement, Schmidt said the "Kansas amber alert system will be stronger as a result" of these recommendations.
In Missouri, the family a 10-year-old kidnapped and killed in Springfield in 2014 wants police computers updated with the technology to quickly report an Amber Alert.
The family of Hailey Owens is working with lawmakers on the change.
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