New Standard Helps Reporting of Missing Children

The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today released a standard for emergency calltakers to use in handling calls pertaining to missing and exploited children. The release indicates that often the initial call provides the foundation and direction of the response to that missing and/or sexually exploited child.

"All agencies must provide its members with the tools and training enabling them to act quickly and decisively when confronted with reports of missing and/or sexually exploited children," the standard says. "The single most important tool an agency may provide is a clearly worded policy directive containing understandable procedures and best practices for calltakers to follow as a guide whenever a call for a missing and/or sexually exploited child is received. This voluntary national standard is designed to be an important tool for agencies to enhance training, policies, and procedures."