A press release from the Harvard Police Department:
HARVARD POLICE DEPARTMENT BECOMES MEMBER OF PREMIER PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROTECT HARVARD’S CHILDREN
From the moment the report of a missing child comes in to the resolution of the case, every action
taken has the potential to make the difference between a successful recovery and a tragic outcome.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) developed the Missing Kids Readiness Project to promote best practices for responding to calls of missing, abducted and sexually exploited children.
911 call centers and law enforcement agencies are recognized for meeting essential training and policy elements demonstrating preparedness for responding to a missing child incident.
To meet the requirements of the Project, Harvard Police worked with NCMEC on their missing child policy to ensure it met the critical elements of NCMEC’s model policy for law enforcement agencies.
In addition all Harvard Police Officers, Dispatchers and front line supervisors completed the necessary classroom and/or online training offered through NCMEC.
By demonstrating remarkable leadership and making this commitment of training and preparedness, the Harvard Police Department is communicating to its citizens and families that protecting the lives and safety of their children is a top priority.
Armed with the information, knowledge and operational resources gained through meeting the project criteria, the Harvard Police Department is now positioned to respond more quickly, comprehensively, and effectively when a child’s life may be at stake.
Not only is Harvard Police Department now one of just thirteen law enforcement agencies in the United States who have achieved this status, but they are also the first within the state of Illinois.
We at the National Center would like to express our sincere gratitude and congratulations to the Harvard Police Department for achieving this milestone, and for their diligence and commitment to
children.
To learn more about NCMEC and the Missing Kids Readiness Project, go to: http://www.missingkids.com/MKRP.
For a full listing of all MKRP recognized agencies, go to: http://www.missingkids.com/MKRP/Members.