Attorney General establishes Silver Alert Protocol
Provides model policies for media and law enforcement
July 30, 2009 -- Attorney General Steve Six, along with members of the Silver Alert Committee, today released the state protocol for the new Kansas Silver Alert. The Kansas Silver Alert Protocol creates a voluntary process for coordinating efforts between law enforcement agencies, media outlets and other entities when a person 65 years of age or older, or a person suffering from dementia is reported missing by family members or caregivers.
"The Kansas Silver Alert will provides guidance to law enforcement and media outlets for alerting the public when an at-risk adult is reported missing," Six said. "The program will help us better protect one of Kansas' most vulnerable populations."
The Silver Alert Protocol was designed to respect the dignity and independence of Kansas seniors and their right to make choices in their everyday lives. Although there is little data to document how many seniors go missing each year, it does happen-sometimes with tragic results. It is a particular concern for seniors with cognitive impairment.
"I'm grateful for the committee's work in developing this important program and the necessary protocol and policies," Six said. "By working together, we can ensure the safety of older Kansans."
The Kansas Silver Alert was passed by the Kansas Legislature in 2009. Following its passage, the Attorney General created the Silver Alert Committee made up of law enforcement, media and other community partners to develop the protocol for issuing an alert and the model policies for law enforcement and the media to follow.
Members of the Attorney General's Silver Alert Committee are: Barbara Conant, Kansas Department of Aging, Dave Schroeder, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Ed Klumpp, Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police and Kansas Peace Officers Association, Dorthy Halley, Attorney General's Office, Harriet Lange, Citizen, Kent Cornish, Kansas Association of Broadcasters, Steve Quigg, Johnson County Sheriff's Department, Terry Maple, Kansas Highway Patrol, Karen Elsen, Attorney General's Office, Derek Welsh, Attorney General's Office, and Will Downing, Kansas Highway Patrol.
See following links for protocol and policies