Freedom of Information Act Publication Scheme Not Protectively Marked Protective Marking No Publication Scheme Yes Y/N Investigation of Missing Persons, Unidentified Persons Title and ‘Hospers’. 2 Version This policy sets out the procedures for MPS staff Summary conducting investigations when people are reported as missing to the Police. Additionally, it sets out instructions for MPS staff conducting investigations when unidentified persons or unidentified bodies (where the death is non suspicious) are found and investigations where identified persons are taken to hospital but no next of kin have been informed. Territorial Policing Crime Strategic Committee Branch / OCU August 2008 Date created August 2011 Review date Policy - Investigation of Missing Persons, Unidentified Persons and 'Hospers' Introduction This policy amends and updates previous policy concerning the 'Investigation of Missing Persons and Unidentified Persons' as contained in Item 2, Notices 12/2005 which is now cancelled. Application This policy will take effect immediately. All police officers, and police staff, including the extended police family and those working voluntarily or under contract to the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) must be aware of, and are required to comply with, all relevant MPS policy and associated procedures. However, this policy applies in particular to officers and staff in the following roles: • • • • • • • • All operational staff employed on Borough Operational Command Units (BOCU) Station Reception Officers Call receipt staff Central Operations / Operation Support staff (i.e Marine Support Unit, Territorial Support Group & Dog Support Unit.) Specialist Crime Directorate – Child Abuse Investigation Teams staff Specialist Crime Directorate – Homicide Investigation Central Operations Traffic and Transport Operational Command Units (OCU) staff Directorate of Training and Development staff Borough Commanders, OCU Commanders and the Director of Training and Development are responsible for the implementation of this policy within their respective commands. Purpose The policy is intended to set minimum requirements for the investigation of missing persons, unidentified persons found, and unidentified bodies found, where the death is non-suspicious. It will provide a framework and clear guidance for MPS staff conducting these investigations therefore establishing a standard approach across the MPS. Scope The policy applies to the initial reporting / recording of a missing person, subsequent investigation, risk assessment, supervision of investigations, case reviews and liaison with partner agencies (public sector and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs)). For the purpose of this policy, missing persons include those people reported as missing by families / friends, children missing from local authority care and people missing from hospital or other healthcare setting. This policy also deals with persons brought to a hospital who are unidentified or where no next of kin have been informed (hospers), unidentified persons in police custody or found 'wandering' elsewhere. Unidentified bodies discovered by Police where the circumstances of death are deemed nonsuspicious, will also be included, with specific instructions given on bodies recovered from the River Thames. This policy does not apply to investigations of kidnapping, any death where the identity of the person is known, or any death that is deemed to be suspicious. Policy Statement The MPS will work together with internal and external partners with the aim of establishing the whereabouts and safety of all missing persons or identifying a found person or body. The basic right of an adult person to withdraw contact from their family/friends will be respected and measured against the needs of their families, friends and the public at large. The MPS will: • • • • • Record every report of a missing person and conduct an assessment of the risk to that person and the public at large as a result of their disappearance. Actively investigate all missing person cases in co-operation with relevant partner agencies. Conduct reviews of all unsolved missing person investigations including continually re-assessing the risk posed. Record incidents where unidentified persons are found alive or dead and conduct an investigation in order to identify these persons. Record and actively investigate all 'hospers' reported to the MPS. Benefits • • • • • Provide a standardised approach across the MPS by issuing clear instructions to staff, ensuring that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. Improve the quality of investigations. Provide guidelines to ensure that a proactive multi-agency approach is adopted in dealing with missing persons. Ensure that clear policies are in place in the MPS, which describe organisational roles and subsequent responses to the reporting of a missing person. Provide a better quality of service to the families / friends of missing persons and to people whose relative / friend has died in nonsuspicious circumstances. Responsibilities • • • Ownership of the policy – TP Crime (operations) Strategic Committee Implementing the policy – BOCU Commanders, OCU Commanders and Director of Training and Development Reviewing the policy – Operation Compass TPHQ Associated Documents and Policies Standard Operating Procedures for "The Investigation of Missing Persons and unidentified bodies". Non-suspicious Sudden Death (Notifying Next of Kin) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Use of Merlin IT System