The Medina Township Police is a member of the Northern Ohio AMBER ALERT Network. This network is designed to utilize the Emergency Alert System to broadcast a description of the missing child and suspected abductor. The goal of the AMBER ALERT is to promptly involve all citizens to assist in the search for a safe return of the child.
HISTORY:
In January 1996, nine year old Amber Hagerman was abducted and killed and her body was recovered four days later in a drainage ditch approximately four miles away. The Dallas Amber Plan was started in July 1997 to help safely recover missing children that police believe have been abducted. Even though the plan is named after Amber Hagerman, this national program is dedicated to all the children nationwide who’ve been abducted.
The power of free, over the air electronic media is the best way to quickly reach the greater northern Ohio area citizens who may have information leading to the return of a missing or abducted child. The plan is a voluntary partnership between law enforcement agencies, news media, and CECOMS (Cuyahoga Emergency Communication Services) to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child-abduction cases to air a description of the missing child and alleged abductor(s).
Child: Means a person who is under eighteen (18) years of age (2151.011 (B) (1) (a) ORC)
Adult: Means an individual who is eighteen (18) years of age or older (2151.011 (2) ORC)
MISSION STATEMENT
The Medina Township Police Department considers the disappearance of a minor child to be an investigative priority, whether it is a result of unknown circumstances, a runaway incident, or a non-family abduction. In each of these incidents, based upon the specific case circumstances, Chief of Police or the Executive Sergeant must make decisions about the proper level of manpower and resources needed in order to bring the situation to a successful conclusion. While each of these incidents has the potential for harm to the child, the non-family abduction is the one that experience has shown will most likely result in the injury, sexual assault and/or death of the child.
The Medina Township Police Department considers the disappearance of a minor child to be an investigative priority, whether it is a result of unknown circumstances, a runaway incident, or a non-family abduction. In each of these incidents, based upon the specific case circumstances, Chief of Police or the Executive Sergeant must make decisions about the proper level of manpower and resources needed in order to bring the situation to a successful conclusion. While each of these incidents has the potential for harm to the child, the non-family abduction is the one that experience has shown will most likely result in the injury, sexual assault and/or death of the child.
In those situations in which a child is known or thought to have been abducted by a non-family member, it is the Medina Township Police Department's policy to respond in a manner that holds the greatest chance for the safe return of the child and the apprehension of the alleged abductor(s). This includes an aggressive investigation that is conducted in a timely manner that is adequately staffed with manpower and resources, and follows a comprehensive investigative plan. This investigative plan will be known as the NORTHERN OHIO AMBER ALERT.
The Chief of Police, Executive Sergeant and officers involved in an investigation in which the AMBER ALERT has been activated are required to fulfill their assigned duties as thoroughly, efficiently and expeditiously as possible. It will be the policy of the Medina Township Police Department to utilize any assistance and resources of the private community, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies that are deemed necessary to successfully conclude an investigation of an abducted child.