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Question
I am doing a project at school on runaways and I want to know what is the usuaul procedure for finding runaways and how long do police investigate before they stop? thank you for your time
Natalie,
There is no real usual or standard procedure for any police investigation. Every case is different thus there cannot be a "usual" procedure. For example a missing fourteen year old girl case would certainly be handled differently than the case of a seventeen year old boy who didn't come home from school.
But basically you would contact the friends of the missing teenager first and then use that information to look for him/her. The police would never stop investigating the case of a missing teenager. Now that could mean that in a big city where there sometimes hundreds of "missing" teens (not really missing but have not come home) it might not be so intensive as in a small town in Iowa where everyone knows everyone else.
Let me know if I can help you with any other questions about this subject.
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Answers by Expert:
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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