In Europe, a missing individual case is handled among various agencies, each providing their useful expertise. Some of them are non-governmental organizations and search and rescue teams. Within each country, distinct laws and regulations dictate the roles and responsibilities of these agencies in missing person cases. Despite this variation, establishing collaborative relationships among all involved parties is paramount.
In this section, readers will delve into the challenges inherent in this multi-agency system, particularly concerning the effective communication of crucial strategies across different jurisdictions. Additionally, ample information will be provided on overcoming these challenges and exploring methods to enhance cooperation among agencies.
Each agency has their unique area of expertise, difficulties arise when one is not clearly knowledgeable on what their respective responsibilities and procedures are. For instance, a police officer is handling a case of a missing unaccompanied minor in Greece. The officer calls the 116000 hotline to provide the information needed to publicize an Alert. Due to insufficient training and lack of mutual information sharing protocols and procedures, the police officer is not aware that to publicize the alert a prosecutor’s order is mandatory, resulting in the loss of precious time that hinders the investigation. Challenges in information sharing stem from uncertainty about who should receive the information, inadequacies in its presentation format, and the lack of feedback on its usefulness, which can deter future sharing efforts. Many of these obstacles can be surmounted through agencies fostering strong relationships and participating in collaborative training exercises (Greene & Alys, 2017).
Hence, it becomes imperative to establish protocols for communication and cooperation, ensuring the seamless operation of each agency’s responsibilities. The organization Missing Children Europe on their practical guide for 116000 hotline operators has provided such a protocol of cooperation between law enforcement and civil society organisations in cases of missing children. Under the protocol, it’s made clear that effective collaboration necessitates understanding and acknowledging the unique tasks and responsibilities of each party involved and differentiating between law enforcement’s investigative role and civil society organizations’ preventive and assisting functions. Another crucial aspect emphasized is the necessity for mutual consultation to coordinate efforts effectively and prevent actions from being taken without sharing the decisions made beforehand.
As previously noted, law enforcement agencies are responsible for investigating missing person cases and serve as central hubs for information and decision-making regarding the case. Collaboration and efficient information-sharing among agencies are crucial.
On that note, coordinating actions based on the information gathered and shared is one of the most important elements of a missing person case. Information can be gathered through many means, police interview, hotlines or from field operations. As mentioned, in most cases professionals working in a missing case can come from multiple agencies that need to work together and coordinate their efforts for a common cause. Law enforcements is the centre of information and all agencies should have clear protocols on information sharing to avoid important aspects of the investigation being lost.
In most cases, investigations begin when someone files a missing person report at a police station. Sometimes, the absence of a loved one creates high levels of stress and confusion, which can be further exacerbated by the pressure associated with police procedures. The heightened stress during interviews may cause individuals to withhold essential information crucial to the case.
Throughout the investigation, the same individual may interact with multiple agencies involved in handling the case. For instance, family members often reach out to the 116000 hotline for psychological support or get in contact with search and rescue team members. Speaking with a psychologist or social worker over the phone is often less stressful than giving a statement at a police station. However, new information not previously disclosed during the initial interview may emerge, highlighting the critical role of each agency.
In this scenario, mutual information sharing proves invaluable. Hotline operators, equipped with key insights from the initial report, can establish closer rapport with family members. In turn, they can share their findings with law enforcement, thereby enriching the collective pool of information available for the investigation.
Another issue stemming from this multi-agency operational model is that coordination can become highly complex. Information may sometimes be abundant throughout the investigation and filtering it to make crucial decisions that move the investigation forward can become challenging.
As stated by the College of Policing (2016) the role of a coordinator is crucial in ensuring that law enforcement agencies respond efficiently and fulfill their relevant duties concerning missing reports. It is therefore essential for chief officers to ensure that every police force has a coordinator or an individual performing this function. The duties of the missing person coordinator entail:
- Collecting information on missing reports to identify indicators or patterns of absence that may signal potential risks to individuals.
- Recognizing priorities and factors to consider.
- Providing assistance in independently supervising cases
- Acting as a liaison point for partners and maintaining productive working relationships to facilitate the exchange of information.
- Collaborating with other agencies and care providers to establish and enforce protocols across all parties involved.
- Assisting the force in comprehending the nature of risks and demands associated with missing persons.
The coordinator’s role is paramount in guaranteeing that communication between agencies adheres strictly to established protocols and procedures, thereby facilitating the effective and efficient resolution of the case.
In conclusion, navigating the complexities of multi-agency collaboration in missing person cases presents numerous challenges, particularly in ensuring effective communication and coordination across various jurisdictions. As highlighted throughout this discussion, these challenges can hinder the timely resolution of cases and impede efforts to safeguard individuals at risk. However, by establishing clear protocols for communication and cooperation, fostering strong relationships among agencies, and engaging in collaborative training exercises, these obstacles can be overcome. It is imperative that each agency understands its unique role and responsibilities, actively shares information, and works together seamlessly to achieve the common goal of locating missing persons and ensuring their safety. Through proactive engagement, mutual consultation and coordinated action, law enforcement agencies, along with other relevant stakeholders, can enhance their collective response to missing person cases and ultimately improve outcomes for those in need.
