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Alerts & Missing Persons

Missing Person Information

Contact Us

Email: MUPU@wsp.wa.gov

Phone: 800-543-5678

Fax: 360-704-2971

Mailing Address:

WSP MUPU
PO Box 42634
Olympia, WA 98504

Law Enforcement Resources

Missing & Unidentified
Persons Unit

The Missing & Unidentified Persons Unit (MUPU) assists law enforcement agencies and parents in locating missing persons. The following services and resources are provided by the Washington State Patrol MUPU:

A toll-free, 24-hour number to report missing persons:

If you have reported a missing child and need assistance in locating the child, contact MUPU at 1-800-543-5678 or MUPU@wsp.wa.gov

Please note – Local law enforcement must be notified before MUPU can become involved.

Missing Person Reporting Brochure

Poster distribution and/or research for law enforcement and family members of missing persons:

The Washington State Patrol Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit can assist with poster distribution or research to both law enforcement and family members of missing persons. If you would like our assistance please fill out the Missing Persons Packet with as much information about the missing person as possible and email the form along with a digital photo of the missing person to MPU@wsp.wa.gov and a case manager will contact you for follow up.

Alert Types & Information

  • Amber Alerts

    Overview:

    AMBER Alert Plans became a nationwide initiative after the 1996 abduction of Amber Hagerman in Arlington Texas. At the time of her abduction a description of her abductor and the vehicle she was taken in was available and quickly disseminated to law enforcement, however, a systematic process to involve and advise the public was not in place. The letters in Amber’s name are used as the acronym “America’s Missing Broadcast Emergency Response” in order to never forget Amber and our pledge to bring all abducted children home safely.

    The Washington State AMBER Alert Plan was authorized by RCW in 2003 with the Washington State Patrol designated as the lead agency. The Chief of the Washington State Patrol is the State AMBER Alert Manager and has final decision making authority over all aspects of the Statewide Plan. The AMBER Alert Advisory Committee is composed of multiple stakeholder groups that include: Washington Department of Transportation, Washington Association of Broadcasters, Washington State Association of Sheriffs and Police Chief’s and the Washington State Department of Emergency Management. The Chair of the Committee is the Washington State AMBER Alert Coordinator who is a representative of the State Patrol and the Chief. All final decisions regarding the State Plan are made by the Advisory Committee.

    Criteria:

    1. Child is under eighteen (18) and known to have been abducted; is not a runaway or abandoned child.

    2. The child is believed to be in danger of imminent death or serious bodily injury.

    3. There must be enough descriptive information available to believe that an AMBER Alert will assist in the recovery of the child.

    4. The incident must be reported to and investigated by law enforcement and the child, suspect and vehicle (if known) are entered into NCIC as soon as sufficient information is available.

    Law enforcement agencies: fill out an Alert Data Entry Form to activate an Alert.

    Distribution:

    • Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): cell phone alerts to targeted/specific areas

    • ONLY when vehicle information is available

    • Emergency Alert System (EAS): interruption of television and radio

    • Broadcast by WA State Department of Emergency Management

    • Email and/or Fax through subscriber list

    • Click here to subscribe to any of the alerts

    • Department of Transportation Highway Signs

    • ONLY when vehicle information is available

    • WSP MUPU Twitter

  • Endangered Missing Persons Advisory

    Overview:

    The Washington State Endangered Missing Persons Advisory (EMPA) Plan was incorporated into the Revised Code of Washington under section 13.60.050 in June 2010. Originally intended as an alternative to the AMBER Alert Plan, the EMPA covers many different types of endangered missing person incidents. The formal plan allows for a law enforcement agency to get information out about a person who is believed to be in danger and not able to return to safety on their own. The EMPA assists in disseminating information about a person to the media, public, and local law enforcement agencies with the goal of a safe return as quickly as possible.

    Criteria:

    1. Person of any age who is missing and in danger because of age, physical or mental health, severe weather conditions and not able to return to safety without assistance.

    2. Enough information available to assist in the recovery of the missing person

    3. Reported to and investigated by law enforcement*

    (Vehicle information is required for Variable Message Signs/electronic highway signs)

    *Law enforcement agencies: fill out an Alert Data Entry Form to activate an Alert.

    Distribution:

    • Email and/or Fax through subscriber list

    • Click here to subscribe to any of the alerts

    • Department of Transportation Highway Signs

    • ONLY when vehicle information is available

    • WSP MUPU Twitter

  • Missing Indigenous Persons (MIP) Alert

    Overview:

    Missing and Indigenous Persons Alerts (MIPA) are similar to Endangered Missing Persons Advisories except the missing person is identified as Indigenous (American Indian/Alaska Native).

    Criteria:

    1. A missing person of any age who is identified as Indigenous.

    2. Enough information available to assist in the recovery of the missing person

    3. Reported to and investigated by law enforcement*

    (Vehicle information is required for Variable Message Signs/electronic highway signs)

    *Law enforcement agencies: fill out an Alert Data Entry Form to activate an Alert.

    Distribution:

    • Email and/or Fax through subscriber list

    • Click here to subscribe to any of the alerts

    • Department of Transportation Highway Signs

    • ONLY when vehicle information is available

    • WSP MUPU Twitter

    Questions and Answers:

    Why do the highway signs say ‘Alert – MIPA’ instead of spelling out Missing Indigenous Person Alert?  The abbreviation is not immediately recognizable and might be confusing.

    The electronic highway signs (also called ‘Variable Message Signs’) are important tools in many missing persons recoveries but because they must be read and understood with a glance by traveling motorists, they have space and character limitations. Efforts will be ongoing to educate the public that the acronym MIPA stands for Missing Indigenous Persons Alert much like motorists now generally understand that AMBER Alerts are dealing with missing children.

    Are all MIPA alerts posted on the electronic highway signs?

    Not every MIPA alert will be posted on the Variable Message Signs.  Only MIPA alerts with a known involved vehicle can be posted.  All other MIPA alerts will be shared with the public through methods such as email and fax alert systems as well as cable and local news broadcasts.

  • Silver Alerts

    Overview:

    Silver Alerts are similar to Endangered Missing Persons Advisories except the missing person is 60 years or older.

    Criteria:

    1. Person age 60 and over who is missing and in danger because of age, physical or mental health, severe weather conditions and not able to return to safety without assistance.

    2. Enough information available to assist in the recovery of the missing person

    3. Reported to and investigated by law enforcement*

    (Vehicle information is required for Variable Message Signs/electronic highway signs)

    *Law enforcement agencies: fill out an Alert Data Entry Form to activate an Alert.

    Distribution:

    • Email and/or Fax through subscriber list

    • Click here to subscribe to any of the alerts

    • Department of Transportation Highway Signs

    • ONLY when vehicle information is available

    • WSP MUPU Twitter

Contact

For information on active alerts, email MUPU@wsp.wa.gov.

Washington State AMBER Alert Coordinator Carri Gordon at carri.gordon@wsp.wa.gov.

To subscribe to receive any of these alerts, click here.