SEARCH OPERATIONS

Coordinate all search operations with police to avoid jeopardizing the investigation, particularly if criminal charges may be involved.

The actual search for a missing child can be conducted in a variety of ways. Volunteers, if organized effectively by the Search Operations Coordinator, can be put to good use during the search operations part of the Community Response Plan. Search operations might include:

• Ground searches

• Door-to-door canvassing

• Enlisting the community (i.e. mobilizing as many eyes and ears as possible)

Each of these components will require volunteers and coordination with the other agencies involved (i.e. the police, accredited search and rescue organizations, missing children services organizations, etc.). The Search Operations Coordinator must ensure that all search efforts are coordinated with the other agencies involved.