Careers: Police/Missing Children

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Expert: - 7/5/2006


Question
Is there a specialized division in the police deparment or other
law enforcement agency that handles missing children.

Do officers handle missing children in addition to other duties?

Is there a place to gather stats on the subject other than the
Missing Children's Website?

I'd like to know how to get my community and local law
enforcement more involved in the prevention and recovery of
missing children.

What is the best way?

Answer
  Keep in mind that there are thousands of police departments in this country. From three man departments to huge metropolitan departments in cities.  As a result there is no standard way of handling missing children. It depends on the department and their operating procedure.  I would suggest that you simply call your local police department and ask for an interview with whoever handles such cases.

  However you need to understand something.  The vast majority of missing children return home within a few hours or a day and the others are parental abductions.  The stranger abductions, made spectacular by the media, are very very rare.

Careers: Police

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Jack Toomey

Expertise

U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.

Experience

Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.

Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.

Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.

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