Overview
This program promotes best practices for responding to calls of missing, abducted and sexually exploited children. Agencies will be recognized by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® for meeting essential training and policy elements demonstrating preparedness for responding to a missing child incident.
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More about MKRP
membership and training
The Missing Kids Readiness Program (MKRP) promotes best practices for taking and responding to calls of missing and sexually exploited children. Agencies meeting essential training and policy elements demonstrating preparedness for responding to missing and sexually exploited child incidents will be recognized by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® with a certificate, plaque, listing on the NCMEC website, media release template. PSAPS will be announced at the annual APCO conference. There are no application or membership fees, annual dues or other costs from NCMEC to participate in MKRP.
Law enforcement agency criteria
- All sworn law enforcement officers must complete the Missing & Exploited Children Introductory module (MECINTRO) and MECPAT (for Patrol personnel) online law enforcement training modules.
- Supervisors must complete the above modules and the MECSUP module.
- Criminal investigators/detectives must complete the above modules and the MECCID module.
- The Chief or Sheriff must complete the three-day Chief Executive Officer seminar on Missing & Exploited Children (CEOMEC)* or along with all command staff, complete the four online law enforcement modules identified above and the MECCOM (command) module.
The agency adopts the NCMEC Law Enforcement Model Policy and Procedures for Reports of Missing and Abducted Children developed with the assistance of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (or their policy meets critical components of the model policy). The agency written directives are reviewed by NCMEC staff to verify compliance.
Online PSAP criteria
- All telecommunicators must complete Missing & Exploited Children Introductory module (MECINTRO) and telecommunicator (MECTEL) training modules.
- Supervisors, Evaluators (QA/QI) and Trainers must complete the above modules and the MECSET module.
- The PSAP director must complete the three-day Chief Executive Officer seminar on Missing & Exploited Children (CEOMEC)* or complete the three online PSAP modules identified above and the PSAP executive (MECEXEC) module.
- The agency adopts the APCO ANSI Standard for Public Safety Telecommunicators When Responding to Calls for Missing, Abducted and Sexually Exploited Children (or policy and procedures meeting critical elements of the ANSI Standard). Directives should also state that all telecommunicators are required to receive missing and exploited child training prior to release from training. The agency written directives are reviewed by NCMEC staff to verify compliance.
- Written directives must address quality assurance. The directive that addresses quality assurance must include the specific function/title of personnel responsible for reviewing the appropriate missing or sexually exploited child calls, the length of time after receiving the call that it will be reviewed and the procedures to be followed. Reviews should be conducted on all abduction, lost child and internet crimes against children calls and all other missing or sexually exploited child calls that generate an elevated or Atypical response. For further guidance NCMEC recommends referring to the APCO/ANSI Standard for the Establishment of a Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement Program for Public Safety Answering Points.
*The CEOMEC seminar is primarily offered at NCMEC headquarters in Alexandria, VA with lodging and air transportation costs covered. There are a limited number of CEOMEC seminars offered regionally.
Membership in the Missing Kids Readiness Program is valid for a period of five years. During the fifth year as a member, the agency must meet the following criteria in order to remain a member. Failing to complete the renewal process will result in forfeiting membership and the agency is removed from the member page.
Law enforcement agency criteria
- Chief or Sheriff has successfully completed CEOMEC or the five online law enforcement modules. If it has been more than five years since completion, the Chief or Sheriff must take it again as additional information has been added to each course.
- Any additional sworn personnel employed, assigned or promoted since the agency became an MKRP member must complete the online law enforcement modules appropriate to their position.
- Submit the agency’s missing children’s policy to ensure it still aligns with the Law-Enforcement Model Policy (or policy meeting critical components of the model policy.)
PSAP criteria
- PSAP director has successfully completed CEOMEC or the four required online courses. If it has been more than five years since completion, the director must take it again as additional information has been added to each course.
- Any additional telecommunicators employed, promoted or assigned as supervisors, QA/QI evaluations or Trainers since the agency became a member must complete the required online courses.
- Submit the written directives on processing calls of missing and sexually exploited children for verification of alignment with the APCO ANSI Standard (or protocol meeting critical elements of the ANSI Standard.)
Law-Enforcement Policy and Procedures for Reports of Missing and Abducted Children
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children developed this model policy for law enforcement when responding to reports of missing children. It was developed with the assistance of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Standard for Public Safety Telecommunicators when Responding to Calls of Missing, Abducted, and Sexually Exploited Children
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the Association of Public safety Communications Officials, International (APCO), the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) and other stakeholders collaboratively developed this best-practice standard for telecommunicators when responding to calls regarding missing and sexually exploited children and model policies for responding to these calls. The American National Standard Institute (ANSI) recognizes these best practices as a national standard.
Standard for the Establishment of a Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement Program for Public Safety Answering Points
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children requires PSAPs to address quality assurance of missing and sexually exploited child calls in order to be recognized as MKRP members. The structure and needs of each PSAP will determine specifics. The quality assurance statement should include the specific function or title of personnel responsible for reviewing the missing or sexually exploited child calls, the length of time after receiving the call that it will be reviewed, the specific call types that will be reviewed and the procedures to be followed. Use of the APCO American National Standard (ANS) is voluntary but offered as guidance.
Link to https://www.apcointl.org/standards/standards-to-download/ for Download of the APCO ANSI Standard for the Establishment of a Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement Program for Public Safety Answering Points.