When do I Report a Person Missing?
***The criteria must be met to ensure that the right to privacy of an individual is not violated***
The person is under proven physical/mental disability or is senile, thereby subjecting himself/ herself or others to personal and immediate danger.
The person is reported missing under circumstances indicating that the disappearance was not voluntary.
The person missing is in the company of another person under circumstances indicating that his or her physical safety is in danger.
The person missing is under the age of 18 and in their custody and control or the reporting person's.
The person reported missing is missing after a manmade or disaster/catastrophe but not confirmed to be dead.
The person reported missing is a person not meeting the above criteria but there is a reasonable concern for his or her safety or the person is under 21 years of age and declared emancipated by the laws of his or her state of residence.
There is not a 24 hour waiting period to report a missing person.
How to report a Non-Critical Missing Person
Go to any Milwaukee Police Department district to report the person missing.
Be prepared to sign a missing person certification form.
Have a photograph (without a filter) of the missing person.
Be prepared to answer questions regarding the missing person.
Questions the Officer May Ask
Be prepared to answer the following questions regarding the missing person.
Information for Missing Report
Full Name
Date of Birth
Height and Weight
Ethnic Origin
Sex/Gender
Hair Color, Length and Style
Beard/Mustache/Sideburns
Right Eye Color, Left Eye Color, Type of Glasses/Contacts
Any Distinguishing Marks – such as Tattoos, Amputation, Birthmarks, Scars, Missing Teeth, etc
Missing Person’s Build
Birthplace
Do they have a photo of missing person?
Does the missing person have a cell phone? Phone number?
Nicknames, if any?
If the person is autistic what do they respond to?
Has the missing ever been missing prior? If so where were they located?
Reason why they left? (e.g., argument, fight, unknown, etc.)
The time and location of where he/she was last seen?
The name of the individual who last talked with the missing person?
The name of the individual who last saw the missing person?
The direction the missing person was traveling when they were last seen?
How was the missing person acting the last time they were seen?
Is the missing person traveling by car? If so, what is the make and model and license plate number?
Does the missing person use a ride sharing service or public transportation?
What language does the missing person speak?
Past and current school and/or work locations?
Clothing Description
Style, Brand, Material and Color of Shirt, Pants, Jacket, Hat, Gloves, and Footwear?
Style, Brand, Material and Color of Jewelry?
Does the missing person have any particular banking habits? (i.e., a particular bank they visit or ATM)? What is their credit, debit card, and/or banking Information)
Do they normally carry money?
Missing Person Health and Condition
Does the missing person have any disabilities such as autism?
Does the missing person have any jewelry with their name on it?
Does the missing person have any addictions?
Is missing person diagnosed with any mental illness?
Is the missing person on any prescriptions? If so, what prescriptions? When are they supposed to take the medicine? When was the last time they took the medicine? What happens if they miss taking the medicine?
Is or was the missing person in the military? If so what branch? Were they diagnosed with any mental health issues in the military? Is there disappearance related to their diagnoses in the Military?
Potential People that the Missing Person Would Contact With
Get a list of all of the person’s friends and acquaintances whom the missing person may try to contact.
Natural Parents or Foster/Adoptive Parents
Best friends
Family members (sister, brother, cousins, aunts)
Boyfriend/Girlfriend, Ex-Spouse/ Relationship
Case worker or crisis worker
List all children (if applicable)
Habits and personality of missing person
What type of recreation or activities does the individual engage in including hobbies?
Are there particular habits that the individual has? For instance, does he/she go to a particular spot for coffee each day or store?
Does the individual frequent any particular areas, bars, taverns or places of interest?
What were the missing person’s plans and/or activities on the day they went missing?
Where was he/she going?
Why was he/she going there?
Social Media / Electronic Equipment/Journal Information
Social media accounts (Facebook Twitter, Snap Chat, Etc.) What are the user screen names, vanity names?
E-mail addresses
The Milwaukee Police Department does respond to non-critical missing persons in some circumstances.
A person who has been reported missing and meets any of the following criteria:
The missing person has a physical, mental, or cognitive (e.g., Dementia, Alzheimer’s) disability, drug dependency or other at-risk issue, which subjects themselves or others to danger.
There is reasonable suspicion to believe the disappearance of the missing person is not voluntary and/or the missing person is the victim of foul play.
The missing person has a medical condition that requires lifesaving medication or procedures and it is believed the missing person does not have access to those necessities.
The missing person is missing after a disaster, but not confirmed to be dead (e.g., drowning, explosion).
The missing person is age 11 years or younger.
The missing person is under the age of 18 and has their own minor child in their custody.
The missing person is suicidal.
The missing person is a military veteran.
How to report a Critical Missing Person
Call the Milwaukee Police Department as soon as possible.
The Milwaukee Police Department will respond to your location. These investigations are time sensitive.
Have a photograph of the missing person. (without a filter)
Be prepared to sign a missing person certification form.
Have a last known direction where the person was last seen. (if applicable)
Be prepared to answer questions regarding the missing person.
*****There isnot a 24 hour waiting period to report a missing person****
Amber Alert
Why was the AMBER Alert Plan Created?
In January 1996, nine-year-old Amber Hagerman was abducted in Arlington, Texas, in broad daylight with witnesses. Despite intensive police, FBI, and media involvement, Amber’s body was recovered four days later. Her murder remains unsolved.
In her memory, and that of abducted children nationwide, the state of Texas developed the first AMBER Alert Plan to aid in the recovery of abducted children. Since that time, all 50 states have developed their own AMBER Alert Plans.
While the plan is named in honor of Amber Hagerman, AMBER is also an acronym that stands for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response. - Amber Alert Wisconsin
The AMBER Alert plan is for the safe recovery of missing children that a law enforcement agency believes have been abducted and are in danger of serious bodily harm or death. Strict adherence to the criteria is essential in order to prevent the AMBER Alert plan from losing credibility and becoming less effective.
The Amber Alert must be approved by the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
AMBER Alert Criteria
The child must be 17 years of age or younger.
The child must be in immediate danger of death or serious bodily harm.
There must be enough descriptive information about the child(ren), suspect(s), or vehicle(s) to believe a broadcast will assist in the recovery.
AMBER Alert is not to be used for runaways or family abductions unless the child's life is in danger.
NEW 2023 WISCONSIN ACT SIGNED INTO LAW
A person who has not attained the age of 18 years, whose location is unknown, and whose situation does not qualify for another alert and the person is believed to be incapable of returning home without assistance due to a physical or mental condition or disability or the person has not attained the age of 10 years.
The Amber Alert must be approved by the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
Green Alert
Law Enforcement Agencies send out Green Alerts using the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network. The Wisconsin Crime Alert Network is a way that law enforcement has a tool to keep you informed about crime alerts, silver alerts, Amber Alerts and more. The Wisconsin Crime Alert Network has over 10,000 Wisconsin Citizens, Businesses and Law Enforcement Officers using the Network
Green Alert Criteria
Missing person is a veteran or an active-duty member of the armed forces, the national guard, or the military reserve forces of the United States.
Missing person is known, based on the information provided by the person making the report, to have a physical or mental health condition that is related to his or her service.
The agency must receive a report of a missing veteran at risk that is provided within 72 hours of the individual's disappearance.
There is reason to believe that the veteran at risk is missing due to his or her physical or mental health condition.
There is sufficient information available to disseminate that could assist in locating the missing veteran.
The missing person is 60 years of age or older.
The missing person is believed to have Alzheimer's, dementia, or another permanent cognitive impairment that poses a threat to their health and safety.
There is reasonable belief that the missing person's disappearance is due to their impaired cognitive condition.
The Silver Alert request is made within 72 hours of the individual's disappearance.
There is sufficient information available to disseminate to the public that could assist in locating the missing person.
The Silver Alert must be approved by the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
The Milwaukee Police Department –Sensitive Crimes Division recently launched the Wandering Prevention program issuing door alarms free of charge for person(s) who have been diagnosed with Autism or a Memory Disorder (i.e. Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, or other permanent cognitive conditions). The program was created to prevent those who may suffer from Autism or a Memory Disorder from becoming a critical missing/silver alert and to give helpful information to caregivers. The door alarm will notify the caregiver that a door has been opened with a siren.
Criteria for Eligibility
Must be a resident of the City of Milwaukee (proof of residency may be required).
Must be diagnosed with or show symptoms of diminished capacities (i.e. Autism or a Memory Disorder) proof of diagnoses may be required.
There must be an established caretaker for the person receiving the door alarm.
Only persons living in residential homes are eligible ( businesses are excluded from this program).
Must allow Milwaukee Police Dept. personnel access to their home to ensure proper installation of the door alarm.
An unfiltered photo of the person receiving the door alarm will be requested upon installation of the alarm. The photo will ONLY be used if the person is reported as missing.
After initial installation, Milwaukee Police Dept. is NOT responsible for ongoing maintenance (i.e. supplying any subsequent batteries).
Persons receiving the door alarm are requested to permit Milwaukee Police Dept. personnel to contact them intermittently for one year to ask whether the alarm has helped (contact every three months).
Cost: Free
FREE NO AGE REQUIREMENT
To apply: Contact the Milwaukee Police Department Sensitive Crimes Division at 414 935-7405 or 414 935-7401
Victim and Family Support for Missing Persons
Please Contact the Milwaukee Police Department Sensitive Crimes Division at 414-935-7405 or for any Tips regarding any missing person.