New Missing Persons Unit Created In Prince William County: Police

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA—In an effort to streamline and maximize its ability to address citizen disappearances, Prince William County Police recently established a Missing Persons Unit, according to a release from the department. It'll be in the criminal investigations division, and will include a supervisor, two detectives and a civilian specialist.

The new unit was the result of a comprehensive internal review of policies and procedures compared with those models recommended by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) as listed below. The department also consulted with three state police departments to conduct a peer review of current policies and assist with the development of new practices.

• DCJS Missing Persons Model Policy
• NCMEC’s Model Policies and Procedures for Reports of Missing Children
• NCMEC’s Guide to Missing Children Case Investigation and Program Management
• IACP National Law Enforcement Policy Center’s Missing Children Policy

"When a loved one is reported missing in Prince William County, it is imperative that we as the police department do all we can to locate that individual and reunite them with their families," said Barry M. Barnard, chief of the Prince William County Police, in a statement. "The creation of this new unit will allow cases to be consolidated, reviewed, and tracked in a more efficient manner so we can allocate the necessary resources need to bring that person home safely."